Antibiotics: To Use or Not To Use 

Earlier this month a news story came out urging parents to delay antibiotic usage for ear infections.  What's the big deal, why wouldn’t a parent fill an antibiotic prescription and give this to their child to help them feel better?  The answer: an antibiotic may not be necessary and using antibiotics when not necessary may create further problems later on in life. 

To explain the danger of antibiotic overuse let us first look into what causes someone to become sick.  Two types of germs can make a person ill: bacteria and viruses.  Bacteria are small living organisms that are everywhere in the environment.  Some bacteria are beneficial to the body.  However, for the bacteria that are harmful, antibiotics are effective in killing the bacteria.  Viruses are smaller than bacteria and are not living organisms.  Viruses cause illness by invading and reproducing in healthy cells of a living body.  A virus cannot survive outside of a living body. 

The common cold and flu are caused by a virus and some ear infections are also caused by a virus.  An antibiotic will not help fight a virus. A virus is best treated with rest and hydration.  When an antibiotic is prescribed and used when not needed, bacteria become resistant to the antibiotic which is known as bacterial resistance. Further use of the antibiotic will not do any good because the bacteria will not be killed by the antibiotic.  Thus, a doctor would have to use more medicine or stronger antibiotics to treat a bacterial infection.   

So how do you know if you should be giving your child an antibiotic to treat his illness?  Seek the advice of your physician to determine if your child is experiencing a bacterial or viral illness.  Do not expect or insist on an antibiotic if the physician feels a virus is to blame for your child's illness.  When your child is prescribed an antibiotic, make sure to follow the prescription.  Antibiotics are only effective when used for the entire time prescribed. 

Help to prevent bacterial and viral infections by avoiding becoming ill.  Using proper hygiene: washing hands frequently, properly disposing of tissues, covering your mouth when you sneeze or cough will aid in preventing illness.  Additionally, immunizing your child against the routine childhood illnesses and the flu will prevent illness.