" Put simply, I would say: "I need to get rid of that tick that's been biting me all day long." I wouldn't say: "I should be free from that tick." And that is why I'd use "rid of" with a cold, as an alternative to "free" (it doesn't matter https://ukgovenergygrants.blogspot.com/2024/08/what-are-steps-to-apply-for-free.html