Small children get sick. A lot. The average young child will come down with somewhere between three and eight respiratory infections each year. Doctors say most of these will be viral and should not be treated with antibiotics. Bacterial infections on the other hand require antibiotics. However, upwards of half of all visits to the paediatrician end with parents getting an antibiotic prescription. It is evident from these stats that many physicians prescribe antibiotics when they should not. This has led some strains of bacteria to become drug-resistant and experts say, unless the use of antibiotics is reigned in, the problem will continue to grow. As for why antibiotics are over-prescribed, fingers are pointed in a couple of different directions. Some blame anxious parents for pressuring doctors into prescribing. Others blame lazy, or overworked, doctors for not taking the time to explain the specifics of a child illness to parents. Pressure from daycare to keep un-medicated kids at home and widespread misinformation as to what illnesses should be treated with antibiotics are other scapegoats. One proposed remedy is “Wait And See Prescriptions,” where parents are given a prescription but told not to use it unless the illness doesn’t clear up within two days.
Dr. Spock
“Antibiotics and Children — An Overview”
"Antibiotics are only effective against infections caused by bacteria, not those caused by viruses. [...] Since most childhood infections are caused by viruses, more often than not, a child will not need an antibiotic for an infection, but each episode should be evaluated separately." …read the full article
Raising Children Network
“Medications For Children”
" When your child is feeling under the weather, there’s only one thing you want to do – make him feel better as soon as possible. But it can be hard to know what kind of medication to give and when." …read the full article
Natural Parenting
“Antibiotic Resistance- Casualties Of The War On Germs”
" How many times in the consulting room do Homeopaths hear the same old story about antibiotics? A sickly looking adult or child has had one dose of antibiotics after another for recurring illnesses and infections. Sometimes the first dose of antibiotics has been given when the child is only a few weeks old." …read the full article
ABC News
“Parents Not Treating Childrens’ Illness Correctly: Study”
" An Australian study has uncovered evidence that many parents do not know how to properly treat a fever in young children and too quickly resort to medication." …read the full article
BBC
“Children Given Fewer Antibiotics”
" GPs have cut back on the number of medicines they prescribe for children, a study reveals. " …read the full article
