Does My Child Need An Antibiotic?

September 12, 2022

Tags: Emergency & Urgent Care , Ear, Nose & Throat , Cold and Flu , Toddlers , Infants , Babies & Toddlers , Newborns , Medication , Primary Care , Teens , Urgent Care ,

When your child gets sick, all you want is for them to feel better. In some cases, antibiotics are an appropriate treatment. However, not all ailments can be “fixed” with a round of antibiotics. It’s essential for parents to know when antibiotics are appropriate—and when they’re not.

Bacterial vs. Viral Infections

Timothy Snyder, MD, pediatrician with the Franciscan Physician Network, explains that antibiotics are prescribed for a bacterial infection, such as a middle ear infection, strep throat, pneumonia, or a urinary tract infection.

“It's important to note that antibiotics don't treat a viral infection, like a runny nose or a cough. That is a common misconception we have to help teach parents.”

Not all antibiotics are created equal, either. For example, a urinary tract infection may arise from a different type of bacteria than strep throat. Prescriptions are tailored to the type of bacteria in play.

Downsides of Antibiotic Use

While the foundational goal of antibiotic use is to drive recovery, they are not completely benign in the treatment process. Some children might experience an allergic reaction to an antibiotic, such as hives. This differs from a side effect, like diarrhea or upset stomach. Infants and toddlers sometimes develop a yeast infection in their diaper area.

There’s also the risk of bacteria resistance if antibiotics are over-prescribed.

“The more times [kids] face amoxicillin, at some point there's going to be a bacteria that has mutated. Then, the antibiotic doesn't have an effect, and the infection is harder to treat,” states Dr. Snyder.

Some alternative treatments include gargling with warm salt water and sticking to soft foods for a sore throat, increasing clear fluid intake to reduce congestion, and using Tylenol and a warm compress for an ear infection.

Medication Safety, Administration

Until a child is in their teens, at the very least, medication should be administered by a parent. It should also be kept in a safe location that’s not accessible by the child. This may be difficult if it requires refrigeration, but Dr. Snyder encourages parents to teach their children from an early age that medicine is not candy; that it can be harmful.

As for the way medication is administered, it may be beneficial to use a syringe so as to avoid the child spitting it out. Another tactic is to mix it with a small volume of other fluid and have the child drink it through a straw.

Treatment Timeline

As much as parents would love for antibiotics to be a miracle drug, they do take time to work—two, three days sometimes. If the child isn’t feeling better after that amount of time, it could be they are resistant to the antibiotic. Dr. Snyder notes when parents should consult with their pediatrician.

“You have to remember that the bacterial infection has taken some time to settle in. So, it's not going to be better immediately," Dr. Snyder said. "But, if their fever persists, certainly if their condition is getting worse, if they're having more ear pain, ear drainage, if their respiratory status worsens, they're breathing more rapidly and with difficulty, then you would definitely want to touch base with your physician. In the meantime, we try to treat the fever, keep them hydrated, and try to maintain a baseline.”

Likewise, if your child feels much better, she shouldn't stop taking a prescription medication unless your doctor says it's okay. This is especially important if your child is taking antibiotics.