Conditions & Treatments

Your Child And Antibiotics - Other Information

What causes infections?
Infections may be caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi or parasites. Most sore throats, coughs, colds and gastroenteritis are due to viruses.

Bacterial infections in childhood may include pneumonia, otitis media (middle ear infections), meningitis (infection of the covering of the brain) and urinary tract infection. Some of these may be potentially serious and patients may require hospitalisation.

What are antibiotics?

Antibiotics are drugs prescribed by the doctors to fight disease-causing bacteria. When used properly, they can save lives.

Does my child need antibiotics?

Antibiotics do not work on viruses. Children usually recover from common viral infections spontaneously after several days.

Antibiotics are only useful for bacterial infections. Some bacteria develop a resistance to antibiotics. Repeated use and improper use of antibiotics can cause an increase in antibiotic-resistant bacteria. When this happens, your child’s infection remains uncontrolled or may even get worse.

Stronger and more expensive antibiotics will have to be used progressively. However, some bacteria may be resistant to all antibiotics.

How can I protect my child from antibiotic-resistant bacteria?

Complete the course of antibiotics as prescribed even though your child may have started to feel better. This is necessary to help the body fight all the harmful bacteria.
Never share or use leftover antibiotics.
Do not expect or demand antibiotics for flu and allergic conditions. Consult your doctor when in doubt.
Do not expect antibiotics to work instantly. A response is usually seen in two to three days’ time.
Consult the doctor again if the illness gets worse or lasts a long time, so that your child can be reassessed and proper treatment can be given as needed.
Do not “doctorhop”. It is confusing for both patients and doctors. The chances of inappropriate or inadequate antibiotics and medications being prescribed are higher.