When to use antibiotics
When an illness does require antibiotic treatment, it's important that your child take the medication exactly as prescribed by your pediatrician. Don't stop having your child take the medication because he or she starts to feel better. Just as overuse of antibiotics leads to resistant bacteria, so does using only a partial dose. Each time antibiotics are taken, sensitive bacteria are killed, but resistant ones may be left to grow and multiply, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
It is suggested that at least three-quarters of the infections most pediatricians see in an office are viral, with no complications. Viruses cause colds, for instance, and symptoms can last five to 10 days. Making sure the child is getting adequate fluids and [children's acetaminophen] is all that's necessary.
Antibiotics also can cause various side effects, such as stomach upset, abdominal cramps and diarrhea.
Your child's doctor uses a physical examination and evaluation of symptoms to determine whether to prescribe an antibiotic. For an illness such as strep throat, the doctor can take a throat culture to see if the strep bacteria are present. If the doctor suspects that an infection is caused by bacteria, he or she may prescribe a broad-spectrum antibiotic that can fight a range of bacteria.
So how do you know when your child needs an antibiotic? ask if it's needed and if not, why? Trust your doctor, but don't assume he's always correct. Ask for a low sensitivity C-reactive protein test to make sure.
Ask your physician about a low-sensitivity CRP test using the QuikRead monitor.
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