" Basically, I'd say: "I need to get rid of that tick that's been biting me all day." I would not say: "I need to be free from that tick." And that's why I'd personally use "rid of" with a cold, in lieu of "free" (irrespective of whether or not https://medium.com/@freeecograntsuk/4-steps-to-apply-for-government-grant-for-solar-panels-5abc65e3ac0e