Antibiotics can lead to resistance to antibiotics.

There is real and genuine concern about the increasing risk of "superbugs". This department of health guidance is very useful: http://www.dh.gov.uk

What are viral infections?
Most coughs and sore throats and all colds are viral infections. Many young children get between 8–10 colds a year. Your child will recover from common viral infections as soon as the illness has run its course, usually about 5–10 days. Anntibiotics will not help your child if they have a viral infection because antibiotics do not work against viral infections and unnecessary antibiotic use may be harmful.

What are bacterial infections?
Bacterial infections are often more serious and less common than viral infections, and unlike viral infections antibiotics can cure them. They include some forms of meningitis and pneumonia as well as some ear infections. Some viral infections can lead to bacterial infections.
Antibiotics should not be used to treat viral infections, they can actually harm your child.

When are antibiotics needed and when are they not needed?

Colds
All colds are viral infections. Antibiotics have no effect on colds. It is normal for mucus in your child’s nose to change from a clear to yellow / green colour during a cold.

Cough or bronchitis
Children rarely need antibiotics for coughs and bronchitis.

Ear infections
There are several types. Some may need antibiotics but most do not.

Sore throat
Most sore throats are viral infections that do not need antibiotics.

Viral infections normally last 5– 10 days
Contact your doctor immediately if you are worried about your child’s condition. Your doctor will advise you on whether or not your child needs an antibiotic. You can also seek advice from your pharmacist on remedies for colds and flu that are safe for your child to take.

Why do I need to be careful about my child and antibiotic use?
If your child takes antibiotics when they don’t need them, e.g. for a viral infection, the bacteria in their body build up resistance to them.

Unnecessary antibiotics may be harmful to your child and cause side-effects, e.g. vomiting and diarrhoea.

The more antibiotics we take, the less effective antibiotics are becoming at fighting more serious infections like bacterial meningitis.

Most people who think they are allergic to penicillin actually aren’t. It’s likely that they were prescribed penicillin for a viral infection, which was actually the real cause of the rash they got. For the rest of their lives they avoid a useful treatment that they could actually take safely.
 
If your child is prescribed antibiotics, make sure that they finish the whole course. Even if their symptoms are better, the infection is still there and the full course of antibiotics is needed.

Taking care of your child with a viral infection

Most of the time, your child will recover from a viral infection within 5– 10 days.

Keep your doctor informed if the illness gets worse or lasts beyond 5–10 days
Give your child paracetemol to relieve the symptoms.

Do not give your child aspirin.

Ask your pharmacist for advice on safe medicines that may help your child feel better.

Make sure your child drinks plenty of fluids.
 
Keep your child cool.

Key messages

Antibiotics do not fight viral infections like the flu, most chesty coughs and sore throats. Antibiotics may be harmful when they are used to treat viral infections.

Antibiotics are needed to fight more serious infections like bacterial meningitis or some ear infections.

Unnecessary antibiotics can be harmful and can cause side-effects, e.g. vomiting and diarrhoea.

Unnecessary antibiotic use now can lead to resistance to antibiotics in the future. The more antibiotics prescribed, the higher the risk of your child being infected with bacteria which are resistant to antibiotics.

Seek advice from your pharmacist about other remedies for viral infections that are safe for your child.
 
If antibiotics are prescribed for your child, make sure that they finish the whole course.

If you are elderly or have heart or lung disease, you should discuss, with your doctor or nurse, the possibility of an annual flu injection and Pneumonia injection which is only required every ten years.
 

< Back to health links