When your child is sick, antibiotics are not always the answer. Antibiotics should not be used for viral infections, so it's important to learn about the differences between bacterial and viral infections and talk to your child's doctor about them.
Antibiotics are among the most powerful and important medicines known. When used properly they can save lives, but used improperly, they can actually harm your child.
Bacteria and viruses
Two main types of germs—bacteria and viruses—cause most infections. In fact, viruses cause most coughs and sore throats and all colds.
Bacterial infections can be cured by antibiotics, but common viral infections never are. Your child recovers from these common viral infections when the illness has run its course.
Resistant bacteria
New strains of bacteria have become resistant to antibiotics. These bacteria are not killed by the antibiotic. Some of these resistant bacteria can be treated with more powerful medicines, which may need to be given by vein (IV) in the hospital, and a few are already untreatable.
How bacteria become resistant
Each time we take antibiotics, sensitive bacteria are killed, but resistant ones may be left to grow and multiply. Repeated use and improper use of antibiotics are some of the main causes of the increase in resistant bacteria. These resistant bacteria can also be spread to others in the family and community.
The infection may change
Viral infections may sometimes lead to bacterial infections. But treating viral infections with antibiotics to prevent bacterial infections does not work and may lead to infection with resistant bacteria.
Keep your doctor informed if the illness gets worse or lasts a long time, so that proper treatment can be given, as needed.
This information brought to you by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Society of Microbiology, the Pennsylvania Coalition to Save Antibiotic Strength, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and ASTHO.