Understanding Antibiotics: Learn When to Medicate Your Child

Antibiotics are very powerful and effective when it comes to curing bacterial infections, but they are often misused. Read our Q&A to learn how to use them properly.

When should I give my child antibiotics?

Most illnesses are caused by two kinds of germs: bacteria and viruses. Antibiotics can cure bacterial infections – not viral infections. 

Bacteria causes strep throat, some cases of pneumonia, and sinus infections. Antibiotics can work for these illnesses. 

Viruses cause the common cold, most coughs, and the flu. For these illnesses, antibiotics will not work. 

Antibiotics should not be used to treat the common cold, runny noses, and most coughs. Children fight off these viral illnesses on their own.

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How do I know if my child has a viral or bacterial infection?

Ask your child’s healthcare provider and follow his or her advice on what to do about your child’s illness. Remember, colds are caused by viruses and should not be treated with antibiotics.

What’s the harm in giving my child antibiotics? 

Taking antibiotics when they are not needed can cause some bacteria to become resistant to the antibiotic. These resistant bacteria are stronger and harder to kill. They can stay in your child’s body and cause severe illnesses that can’t be cured with antibiotics. A cure for resistant bacteria may require stronger treatment – and possibly a stay in the hospital. To help prevent antibiotic resistance, the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization recommends taking antibiotics only when necessary. 

Does this mean I should never give my child antibiotics?

Antibiotics are very strong medicines and should be used to treat bacterial infections. Your healthcare provider will prescribe antibiotics if your child has a bacterial infection.

If mucus from the nose changes from clear to yellow or green, does this mean that my child needs an antibiotic?

No. Yellow or green mucus does not mean that your child has a bacterial infection. It is normal for mucus to get thick and change color during a viral cold. 

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If my child is prescribed antibiotics, how should they take them?

If your child’s healthcare provider prescribes an antibiotic to treat a bacterial infection – like strep throat – be sure to give your child all of the medicine. Only using part of the prescribed medicine means that only part of the infection will be treated, giving way for more resistant bacteria to develop. 

Here's what you need to remember:

• Take antibiotics exactly as your healthcare professional tells you to.

• Do not skip doses.

• Do not share it with others.

• Do not save it for later.

• Talk to your pharmacist about safely discarding leftover medicines. 

• Antibiotics are strong medicines, but they don’t cure everything.

• When used incorrectly, antibiotics can actually be harmful to your or your child’s health.

• Antibiotics can cure most bacterial infections. Antibiotics cannot cure viral illnesses.

• When your child is sick, antibiotics are not always the answer.

All medicines have good and bad side effects. Antibiotics can make future bacterial infections stronger and harder to treat. You can protect yourself and others by learning when antibiotics are and when they are not needed. 

The Department of Pharmacy at Beijing United Family Hospital and Clinics has a group of outstanding pharmacists who have returned from overseas or have worked in local tertiary hospitals, including 3 Doctors of Pharmacy and more than 10 with a master's degree. BJU’s pharmacists regularly participate in domestic and foreign training and remain continually up-to-date with developments in the field of pharmacy and pharmacology. They are able provide advanced services for patients and ensure the safety of patients' medication.