How to raise a child without antibiotics when the abuse of antibiotics for young children has been and is a problem? In order to help your child be healthier, parents need to understand how antibiotics work and what diseases it really works for.
Viruses
During childhood, most children suffer from colds, infections and mild illnesses. Infection in childhood is usually caused by a virus or bacteria.
Viruses cause the most colds, sore throats, most cases of pneumonia and most cases of diarrhea, and it is the most common cause of vomiting in children. Antibiotics do not help kill the virus, but they can cause side effects if your child does not need to take antibiotics while infected with the virus.
Bacteria
Bacteria can cause ear infections, sinus infections, pharyngitis, and pneumonia. Antibiotics are powerful drugs designed to kill bacteria, but they do not cure viral infections. During your visit to your pediatrician, the doctor will want to know the history of your child's symptoms, to examine your child's physical condition, and to assess whether the infection is caused by a virus or bacteria.
Green or yellow runny nose and green or yellow phlegm are symptoms that are sometimes confused with a bacterial infection.
It's important for parents to know that green or yellow discharge is often a normal part of recovery from a cold, rather than a focal point of sinus infection and green or colored sputum. Gold is a normal part of viral bronchitis. High fever (even in patients with temperatures> 40 ° C) can be caused by viruses or bacteria.
What can parents do?
To raise a child without antibiotics, parents need to note the following:
Use antibiotics to diagnose bacterial infections, when your child can benefit from them.
Do not pressure your pediatrician about prescribing antibiotics.
Remember that fever is a natural response to illness by the body and helps your child fight off viruses.
frequently asked Questions
The pediatrician told me that my child does not need antibiotics, but my child is very fever and sick. What can I do?
Children can get a viral illness, with symptoms including high fever, listlessness and cough. The severity of the disease doesn't mean it's caused by bacteria. Parents can help their children better by providing a quiet place to rest, and encouraging rest by reading or listening to soft music. Parents can also help by making sure their child is not dehydrated by providing fluids.
My child has a cold that the pediatrician says is caused by a virus. My child seems to be getting better, but then he has a fever again and says that his ear hurts. Is this the same virus?
This is a situation in which there may be a new bacterial infection after the virus. Sometimes a viral infection can lead to a lot of nasal discharge and mucus. This could put a child at risk for a disease called a secondary infection, meaning an infection occurred after it was first resolved.
Signs of secondary infection are developing a new fever as the viral infection grows or developing new symptoms (ear pain or cough) as the infection gets stronger. A secondary infection can be caused by a bacteria or a virus, and it's time to see your pediatrician.
When is antibiotics suitable for my child?
Most infections are caused by two types of bacteria: bacteria or viruses. Antibiotics can only cure bacterial infections. Some examples of bacterial infections are strep throat and some types of pneumonia.
Some examples of viruses are the common cold, most coughs and the flu. Yellow or green mucus doesn't necessarily mean your child has a bacterial infection;
It is normal for the mucus to thicken and change color during a cold. Using antibiotics for the virus will not cure your child, help your child feel better or keep others from getting sick your child. Viral diseases often heal on their own, meaning your child can fight the infection without needing drugs that target the virus.
What harm is there with giving antibiotics, even if my child is not infected with the bacteria?
Antibiotics can make certain bacteria in your child's body resistant to them, or be killed with certain antibiotics. This can become an issue later on for potential future infections and also for others.
In general, many common infections are becoming antibiotic resistant. An estimated 2 million diseases and 23,000 deaths occur each year in the United States from antibiotic-resistant infections. Antibiotic abuse and misuse are the main causes of resistance, with more than half of the antibiotics being prescribed unnecessary for children in doctor's facilities because of coughs and colds.
Antibiotics can also cause side effects, such as diarrhea, nausea, skin sensitivity, and even Clostridium difficile-related diarrhea. That is why raising children without antibiotics is something that parents should think about to help their baby have a healthy body.
See more:
Instructions for the correct use of antibiotics for babies and young children
When should the child take antibiotics?
Children take antibiotics - If you don't want cancer, you should be wise!