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Antibiotics Facts-When they are needed and when they are not needed, Antibiotics are not the Everytime solution
Antibiotics save lives. Improving the way healthcare professionals prescribe antibiotics, and the way we take antibiotics, helps keep us healthy now, helps fight antibiotic resistance, and ensures that these life-saving drugs will be available for future generations.
Antibiotics Facts – Let us know
When a patient needs antibiotics, the benefits outweigh the risks of side effects or antibiotic resistance.
When antibiotics aren’t needed, they won’t help you, and the side effects could still hurt you.
Common side effects of antibiotics can include rash, dizziness, nausea, diarrhea, or yeast infections.
More serious side effects include Clostridium difficile infection (also called C. difficile or C. diff), which causes diarrhea that can lead to severe colon damage and death. People can also have severe and life-threatening allergic reactions.
Antibiotics do not work on viruses, such as colds and flu, or runny noses, even if the mucus is thick, yellow, or green.
Antibiotics are only needed for treating certain infections caused by bacteria.Antibiotics also won’t help for some common bacterial infections including most cases of bronchitis, many sinus infections, and some ear infections.
Taking antibiotics creates resistant bacteria.Antibiotic resistance occurs when bacteria no longer respond to the drugs designed to kill them.
Each year in the United States, at least 2 million people get infected with antibiotic-resistant bacteria. At least 23,000 people die as a result.
If you need antibiotics, take them exactly as prescribed.Talk with your doctor if you have any questions about your antibiotics, or if you develop any side effects, especially diarrhea, since that could be a C. difficile (C. diff) infection which needs to be treated.
Reactions from antibiotics cause 1 out of 5 medication-related visits to the emergency department. In children, reactions from antibiotics are the most common cause of medication-related emergency department visits.
Questions to Ask Your Healthcare Professional
If your child is sick, here are three important questions to ask your healthcare professional:
1. What is the best treatment for my child’s illness?
Your child can feel better without an antibiotic. Respiratory viruses usually go away in a week or two without treatment. Ask your healthcare professional about the best way to feel better while your child’s body fights off the virus.
- Common Condition
- Strep throat
- Common Cause
- Bacteria
- Are Antibiotics Needed?
- Yes
- Common Cause
- Strep throat
- Common Condition
- Whooping cough
- Common Cause
- Bacteria
- Are Antibiotics Needed?
- Yes
- Common Cause
- Whooping cough
- Common Condition
- Urinary tract infection
- Common Cause
- Bacteria
- Are Antibiotics Needed?
- Yes
- Common Cause
- Urinary tract infection
- Common Condition
- Sinus infection
- Common Cause
- Bacteria or Virus
- Are Antibiotics Needed?
- Maybe
- Common Cause
- Sinus infection
- Common Condition
- Middle ear infection
- Common Cause
- Bacteria or Virus
- Are Antibiotics Needed?
- Maybe
- Common Cause
- Middle ear infection
- Common Condition
- Bronchitis/chest cold (in otherwise healthy children and adults)
- Common Cause
- Bacteria or Virus
- Are Antibiotics Needed?
- No. Studies show that in otherwise healthy children and adults, antibiotics for bronchitis won’t help you feel better.
- Common Cause
- Bronchitis/chest cold (in otherwise healthy children and adults)
- Common Condition
- Common cold/runny nose
- Common Cause
- Virus
- Are Antibiotics Needed?
- No
- Common Cause
- Common cold/runny nose
- Common Condition
- Sore throat (except strep)
- Common Cause
- Virus
- Are Antibiotics Needed?
- No
- Common Cause
- Sore throat (except strep)
- Common Condition
- Flu
- Common Cause
- Virus
- Are Antibiotics Needed?
- No
- Common Cause
- Flu
2. What do I need to know about the antibiotics you’re prescribing for my child today?
The antibiotic prescribed should be the one most targeted to treat the infection, while causing the least side effects. Some types of antibiotics, such as fluoroquinolones, have a stronger link to severe side effects such as life-threatening C. diffinfections.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns healthcare professionals to only prescribe fluoroquinolones when another treatment option is unavailable. These powerful antibiotics are often prescribed even when they are not the recommended treatment.
3. What can I do to help my child feel better?
Pain relievers, fever reducers, saline nasal spray or drops, warm compresses, liquids, and rest may be the best ways to help your child feel better. Your healthcare professional can tell you how to help relieve your child’s symptoms.
Antibiotics When they are needed and when they are not needed
What are antibiotics?
Antibiotics are strong medicines used to treat infections, including life-threatening contagious diseases. But antibiotics can cause more harm than good when they aren’t used the right way.
You can protect yourself and your family by knowing when you should use antibiotics and when you should not.
Do antibiotics work against all infections?
No. Antibiotics only work against infections caused by bacteria, fungi and certain parasites. They don’t work against any infections caused by viruses. Viruses cause colds, the flu and most coughs and sore throats.
What is antibiotic resistance ?
“Antibiotic resistance” and “bacterial resistance” are two ways of describing the same thing. Usually, antibiotics kill bacteria or stop them from growing. However, some bacteria have become resistant to some types of antibiotics. This means that the antibiotics no longer work against them.
Bacteria become resistant more quickly when antibiotics are used too often or are not used correctly (such as not taking a full course of antibiotics as prescribed by your doctor).
Bacteria that are resistant to one antibiotic can sometimes be treated with other antibiotics. These other medicines may have to be given intravenously (through a vein) in a hospital. A few kinds of bacteria are resistant to all antibiotics and are now untreatable.
What can I do to help myself and my family?
Do not expect antibiotics to cure every illness. Do not take antibiotics for viral illnesses, such as for colds or the flu. Often, the best thing you can do is let colds and the flu run their course. Sometimes this can take 2 weeks or more. If your illness gets worse after 2 weeks, talk to your doctor. He or she can also give you advice on what you can do to relieve your symptoms while your body fights off the virus.
How do I know when I need antibiotics?
The answer depends on what is causing your infection. The following are some basic guidelines:
- Colds and flu .Viruses cause these illnesses. They can’t be cured with antibiotics.
- Cough or bronchitis .Viruses almost always cause these. However, if you have a problem with your lungs or an illness that lasts a long time, bacteria may actually be the cause. Your doctor may decide to try using an antibiotic.
- Sore throat .Most sore throats are caused by viruses and don’t need antibiotics. However, strep throat is caused by bacteria. Your doctor can determine if you have strep throat and can prescribe an antibiotic.
- Ear infections.There are several types of ear infections. Antibiotics are used for some (but not all) ear infections.
- Sinus infections .Antibiotics are often used to treat sinus infections. However, a runny nose and yellow or green mucus do not necessarily mean you need an antibiotic.
What else do I need to know?
If your doctor does prescribe an antibiotic for you, make sure you take all of the medicine, even if you feel better after a few days. This reduces the chance that there will be any bacteria left in your body that could potentially become resistant to antibiotics.
Never take antibiotics without a prescription. If, for whatever reason, you have antibiotics leftover from a time when you were previously sick, do not take them unless your doctor tells you it’s okay.
The leftover antibiotics may not work on whatever is making you sick. If they do work, there probably will not be enough leftover medicine to completely kill all the bacteria in your body. Not only will you not get better, but this increases the chance that the bacteria will become resistant to antibiotics.
You can prevent catching infections in the first place by practicing good hygiene. Wash your hands with soap and water, especially after using the restroom, coming into contact with feces (for example, from a pet or from changing a baby’s diaper) and before eating.
Antibiotic Medicine
Antibiotic medicines treat infections caused by a type of germ called bacteria. They work by killing the bacteria that make you sick.
When do I need to take antibiotics?
You often need these medicines to treat bacterial infections, such as:
- A urinary tract infection (UTI).
- Strep throat.
- Meningitis. This affects the spinal cord and brain.
- A bad lung infection.
You may start the medicines while your doctor waits for tests to come back. When the tests come back, your doctor may change or stop your medicine.
When are antibiotics not needed?
You do not need these medicines for most common illnesses, such as:
- A cold.
- The flu.
- A sore throat.
Antibiotics are not always needed for all infections caused by bacteria. Do not ask for these medicines, or take them, when they are not needed.
What are the risks of taking antibiotics?
Most antibiotics can cause an infection called Clostridium difficile.This causes watery poop (diarrhea). Let your doctor know right away if:
- You have watery poop while taking an antibiotic.
- You have watery poop after you stop taking an antibiotic. The illness can happen weeks after you stop the medicine.
You also have a risk of getting an infection in the future that antibiotics cannot treat (antibiotic-resistant infection). This type of infection can be dangerous.
What else should I know about taking antibiotics?
- You need to take the entire prescription.
- Take the medicine for as long as told by your doctor.
- Do not stop taking it even if you start to feel better.
- Try not to miss any doses. If you miss a dose, call your doctor.
- Birth control pills may not work. If you take birth control pills:
- Keep on taking them.
- Use a second form of birth control, such as a condom. Do this for as long as told by your doctor.
- Ask your doctor:
- How long to wait in between doses.
- If you should take the medicine with food.
- If there is anything you should stay away from while taking the antibiotic, such as:
- Food.
- Drinks.
- Medicines.
- If there are any side effects you should watch for.
- Only take the medicines that your doctor told you to take. Do not take medicines that were given to someone else.
- Drink a large glass of water with the medicine.
- Ask the pharmacist for a tool to measure the medicine, such as:
- A syringe.
- A cup.
- A spoon.
- Throw away any extra medicine.
Contact a doctor if:
- You get worse.
- You have new joint pain or muscle aches after starting the medicine.
- You
have side effects from the medicine, such as:
- Stomach pain.
- Watery poop.
- Feeling sick to your stomach (nausea).
Get help right away if:
- You
have signs of a very bad allergic reaction. If this happens, stop taking
the medicine right away. Signs may include:
- Hives. These are raised, itchy, red bumps on the skin.
- Skin rash.
- Trouble breathing.
- Wheezing.
- Swelling.
- Feeling dizzy.
- Throwing up (vomiting).
- Your pee (urine) is dark, or is the color of blood.
- Your skin turns yellow.
- You bruise easily.
- You bleed easily.
- You have very bad watery poop and cramps in your belly.
- You have a very bad headache.
Summary
- Antibiotics are often used to treat infections caused by bacteria.
- Only take these medicines when needed.
- Let your doctor know if you have watery poop while taking an antibiotic.
- You need to take the entire prescription.
Antibiotics in Children
Antibiotics are used to treat infections caused by bacteria, such as strep throat and urinary tract infection (UTI). They work by injuring or killing the bacteria that is making your child sick.
Antibiotics will not work for illnesses that are caused by a virus. Illnesses caused by a virus include colds or the flu (influenza). It is important that your child take antibiotic medicines only when needed. If your child needs antibiotics, he or she can take them safely by following a few precautions.
When does my child need antibiotics?
Antibiotics are medicines that treat bacterial infections. Your child may need antibiotics for:
- Strep throat.
- Whooping cough.
- UTI.
- Meningitis. This infection affects the spinal cord and brain.
- Bacterial sinusitis.
- Serious lung infections.
- Some ear infections.
Your child may start antibiotics while his or her health care provider waits for test results to come back. Common tests may include throat, urine, blood, or mucus culture. Your child’s health care provider may change or stop the antibiotic depending on the results.
When are antibiotics not needed?
Your child does not need antibiotics for most common illnesses. These illnesses may be caused by a virus, not a bacteria. Your child does not need antibiotics for:
- The common cold.
- Influenza.
- Sore throat.
- Discolored mucus.
- Bronchitis.
- Many ear infections.
Antibiotics are not always needed for all bacterial infections. Many of these infections clear up without antibiotic treatment. Do notask for or give your child antibiotics when they are not necessary.
How long should my child take the antibiotic?
You must give your child the entire prescription. Continue to give the antibiotic for as long as told by your child’s health care provider. Do notstop giving the medicine even if your child starts to feel better. If your child stops taking it too soon:
- He or she may start to feel sick again.
- The infection may become harder to treat.
- Complications may develop.
Each course of antibiotics needs a different amount of time to work. Some antibiotic courses last only a few days. Some last about a week to 10 days. In some cases, your child may need to take antibiotics for a few weeks to completely treat the infection.
What happens if a dose of antibiotics missed?
Try to give your child all doses as told by his or her health care provider. If a dose is missed, call your child’s health care provider for advice. Sometimes it is okay to give your child the missed dose as soon as possible.
What are some tips for giving antibiotics to my child?
If you have trouble getting your child to take antibiotics:
- Refrigerate liquid medicine. This can improve the taste.
- See if your pharmacist can add flavor to the medicine to improve the taste.
- Ask your child’s health care provider if you can mix the medicine into food, such as pudding or applesauce, or drinks.
- Ask your child’s health care provider if pills can be crushed or broken up and mixed with food.
What are the risks of taking antibiotics?
Most antibiotics can cause an infection called Clostridium difficile (C. difficile), which causes severe diarrhea. This infection happens when the antibiotics kill the healthy bacteria in the intestines, which allows C. difficile to grow. The infection needs to be treated right away. Let the health care provider know if your child has:
- Diarrhea while taking an antibiotic.
- Diarrhea after stopping an antibiotic. C. difficileinfection can start weeks after stopping the antibiotic.
Taking an antibiotic also puts your child at risk for getting a bacteria that does not respond to medicine (antibiotic-resistant infection) in the future. Antibiotics can cause bacteria to change so that if the antibiotic is taken again, the medicine is not able to kill the bacteria. These infections can be more serious and, in some cases, life-threatening.
What else should I know about antibiotics?
It is important for your child to take antibiotics exactly as told. Make sure that you:
- Give your child the entire course that was prescribed. Do not stop giving your child antibiotics even if your child’s symptoms improve.
- Give your child the correct amount of medicine each day.
- Ask
your child’s health care provider:
- How long you need to wait in between doses.
- If the antibiotic should be taken with food.
- If there are any foods, drinks, or medicines that your child should avoid while taking the antibiotics.
- If your child needs to drink a large glass of water along with the antibiotics.
- Only use the antibiotics prescribed for your child by his or her health care provider. Do notgive your child antibiotics prescribed for someone else.
- Ask the pharmacist for a syringe, cup, or spoon that properly measures the antibiotics.
- Throw away any leftover medicine.
When should I seek medical care?
Seek medical care if:
- Your child’s symptoms get worse.
- Your child has new joint pain or muscle aches that begin after starting the antibiotic.
- Your child had a fever before starting the antibiotic and it returns.
Tell your child’s health care provider about any side effects of the antibiotic, such as diarrhea, nausea, or stomach discomfort.
When should I seek immediate medical care?
Seek immediate medical care if:
- Your
child has signs of a serious allergic reaction to antibiotics. If this
happens, stop giving your child the medicine right away. Signs may
include:
- Hives, which are raised, itchy, red bumps on the skin.
- Skin rash.
- Trouble breathing.
- A wheezing sound when your child breathes.
- Swelling anywhere on your child’s body.
- Feeling dizzy.
- Vomiting.
- Your child’s urine turns dark or becomes blood-colored.
- Your child’s skin turns yellow.
- Your child bruises or bleeds easily.
- Your child has severe diarrhea and abdominal cramps.
- Your child has a severe headache.
Summary
- Antibiotic medicines are used to treat infections caused by bacteria, such as strep throat and UTIs. It is important that your child take antibiotic medicines only when needed.
- Your child’s health care provider may change or stop the antibiotic depending on your child’s test results.
- Most antibiotics can cause an infection called Clostridium difficile (C. difficile), which causes severe diarrhea. Let your child’s health care provider know if your child develops diarrhea while taking an antibiotic.
- Give the entire course of antibiotic that was prescribed.
Seek Additional Information
To learn more about antibiotic prescribing and use, visit www.cdc.gov/antibiotic-use