Antibiotics

Antibiotics are powerful medicines that can help treat certain illnesses by fighting bacteria. When used incorrectly or over-used, however, antibiotics can become less effective because bacteria can develop ways to defend themselves against the effects of the medicine – a phenomenon called antibiotic resistance. That’s why it’s good to have a conversation with your pediatrician about your child’s diagnosis, if antibiotics are appropriate to treat it, and make sure you understand when and how to administer the medicine.

When can antibiotics help?

Antibiotics are effective at fighting bacterial infections. One important thing that is often misunderstood about antibiotics is that this type of medicine works only on bacteria; it does not kill viruses. It’s vital that your child’s doctor determine if an infection is viral or bacterial. It’s important to know that most infections in children are caused by viruses, not bacteria. It's also important to take antibiotics as prescribed and for the right amount of time. If antibiotics are stopped early, the bacteria may develop a resistance to the antibiotics and come back again.

When are antibiotics not helpful?

Antibiotics will not work on viral infections like the common cold, most new coughs, fevers, sore throats, pneumonia, diarrhea and vomiting. Giving a child an antibiotic for viral infections like these will not treat their fever or other symptoms, and it may put your child at risk for side effects of the medication, which could make them feel worse. In addition, it increases the risk of antibiotic resistance. This is why it’s so important to only use antibiotics when your child has a bacterial infection. Look to your child’s pediatrician for medical advice on treating a viral infection.

If you have questions about why your child’s doctor is or is not prescribing an antibiotic for your child, please ask; having an open conversation with your pediatrician about antibiotic stewardship is key to being an active participant in your child’s care.

Learn more about antibiotic stewardship

• From the American Academy of Pediatrics:
  • Antibiotic Prescriptions for Children
  • AAP Advises Physicians to Use Antibiotics Judiciously