When your child is sick and feels miserable, you’ll do whatever it takes to help. But antibiotics often aren’t the answer and actually may be harmful to your child’s health, interfering with normal bacteria important for health and fueling antibiotic resistance. We talked with Premera medical director Dr. Ted Conklin for guidelines to help parents make the right decision on using — or not using — antibiotics.
Antibiotics save millions of lives every year, but their overuse, and the subsequent creation of drug-resistant “superbugs”, actually threatens lives. “We depend on antibiotics to treat a wide range of infections — from simple to life-threatening,” says Conklin. “But today’s misuse of antibiotics can disrupt the balance of good bacteria we need to be healthy and works against our future ability to fight serious or untreatable infections.”
Antibiotics for bacterial infections, not viruses
So, how do you know when it’s appropriate to use antibiotics? Antibiotics are prescription medications used to treat bacterial infections such as pneumonia, strep throat, urinary tract and skin infections.
“Antibiotic prescriptions for simple viral infections will do nothing to help the symptoms and can lead to other complications; so, people should not push to get a prescription if the diagnosis is unclear,” says Conklin. “Your doctor will talk with you about your symptoms and prior history; then perhaps perform an exam and order tests to diagnose the illness and determine if antibiotics are appropriate.”
Antibiotics will not cure viruses, like the bugs that cause colds or the flu. As a general rule, viral illnesses are best treated with rest, plenty of water and simple therapies — hot beverages (for sore throats), saline nasal spray or Neti pots (for sinus congestion) and acetaminophen (for fever and body aches).
Nationwide, antibiotics were prescribed in 68 percent of acute respiratory tract illnesses. According to CDC guidelines, 80 percent of those were unnecessary prescriptions. A good resource is Choosing Wisely online, where you can find recommendations for appropriate use of antibiotics.
“Most viral upper respiratory infections, such as a cold with nasal congestion or cough, will clear up on its own in about a week,” says Conklin. “But if symptoms persist or get worse and the illness has lasted seven to ten days, and your energy is drained and fever is continuing, this can be a sign of a bacterial infection. Consider going to your doctor to see if an antibiotic is needed.”
Fighting superbugs in Washington
The Washington State Department of Health is committed to eliminating overuse and misuse of antibiotics in healthcare. It encourages providers to only prescribe antibiotics when necessary in order to protect patients.
According to Conklin, taking antibiotics destroys the “good” bacteria that help digest food, fight other infections and help maintain general health. It takes a long time for your body to recover from a course of antibiotic therapy. And once you’re done, the surviving bacteria can multiply and become drug-resistant strains that may spread to other people. Overuse of antibiotics can actually increase the risk for more serious infections in the future — when we need it most.
Effectively using antibiotics
When an antibiotic is prescribed, ask your doctor the following:
- Do I really need an antibiotic or can I get better without it? Again, antibiotics kill bacteria, not viruses. If you have a bacterial infection, your doctor can prescribe an antibiotic accordingly. But if your infection is viral, talk to your doctor about other methods to relieve your symptoms.
- How best to take the drug? Most importantly, ask your doctor how to take any prescribed medication, i.e., with or without food, best time of the day and potential interactions with food, drink or other medications or supplements.
- What are the side effects? Antibiotics often come with a variety of side effects, such as digestive issues or yeast infections. Your doctor may suggest ways to alleviate side effects, such as taking probiotics.
- Can I take a milder antibiotic? There may be some antibiotics that address a specific infection, but with fewer side effects (such as amoxicillin vs. Augmentin which may be too high-powered for many circumstances). It’s best not to take a high-powered antibiotic if you don’t need it.
- Are there any drug interactions? Make sure your doctor is aware of all medications you’re taking, including homeopathic medications or supplements, to determine interactions.
Finally, when antibiotics are prescribed, finish the entire course, even when you start to feel better. If you don’t complete your course, your infection can come back and your risk for future resistance increases. Antibiotics never should be shared or saved for later use.