Viruses cause most infections in children including:

 

All colds

 

All croup

 

99% of coughs

 

95% of fevers

 

90% of sore throats

 

99% of diarrhea and vomiting

 

 

 

Bacterial infections are much less common than viral infections. Bacteria cause:

 

Most ear infections

 

Most sinus infections

 

10% of sore throats (Strep throat)

 

Whopping cough (pertussis)

Some pneumonia (lung infection)

 

 

 

These symptoms are sometimes misused as signs of a bacterial infection:

 

Yellow nasal discharge. Yellow discharge is more likely to be a normal part of the recovery from a cold than a clue to a sinus infection.

 

Yellow Phlegm(sputum). This is a normal part of viral tracheitis or bronchitis, not necessarily a sign of pneumonia.

 

High Fevers. A fever can be caused by a virus or bacteria.

 

 

Some people think that children with colds need antibiotics to prevent ear or sinus infections. Following a cold, about 10% of children will develop an ear infection and 1% will develop a sinus infection. Giving antibiotics to the other 89% who don’t need them can cause the bacteria to become more resistant and your child to have unnecessary side effects. It is better to wait and give antibiotics to children who really have a bacterial infection.

 

 

When bacteria become resistant to an antibiotic, that medicine can no longer kill that type of bacteria. The more antibiotics that are used, the more bacteria become more resistant to the medicine. Research shows that half of the prescriptions for antibiotics are not necessary. This makes future treatment of bacterial infections more difficult. Many bacteria are now resistant to antibiotics, bacteria develop resistance to them as well. In the battle between antibiotics and bacteria, the bacteria seem to be winning.

 

All antibiotics have side effects. Unless your child really needs an antibiotic, there is no reason to risk the side effects of the medicine. Some children taking antibiotics develop diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, or a rash. The diarrhea is often caused because the antibiotics has caused your child to lose some healthy intestinal bacteria. If your child gets a rash, your provider must decide if the rash is an allergic reaction to the drug or if it is an unrelated viral rash (such as roseola). Because it’s difficult to be sure, your child may be considered allergic to a family of antibiotics when he really isn’t. Then your child can’t take that type of antibiotics again.

 

If your child has a viral illness, an antibiotic will not shorten the course of the fever or help the other symptoms. Antibiotics will not get your child back to school or you back to work sooner. If your child develops side effects from the antibiotics, he will feel worse instead of better.

 

Antibiotics should be used for ear infections, sinus infections, Strep thraat and other bacterial infections. When your child has yellow nasal discharge, yellow phlegm, high fevers, and other normal symptoms associcated with coughs and colds, treat your child with the over-the-counter medicines or home remedies. Fortunately, the body’s normal antibodies, once produced, can kill future viruses. Call your healthcare provider if your child develops any new signs that suggest a bacterial illness.

 

Written by B.D. Schmitt, MD, author of “Your Child’s Health,” Bantam Books

 

Published by RelayHealth

 

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