Antibiotics are drugs used to treat infections by destroying bacteria, not viruses.
Make sure the doctor gives the correct diagnosis, namely that the child is sick because of bacteria, and prescribes antibiotics for the child according to the cause of the child’s illness.
Because if not, antibiotics will actually cause more harm than good to your baby.
The following are types of children’s antibiotics that are safe and effective in curing diseases caused by bacterial infections in children, complete with rules for administering them.
When Do Children Really Need Antibiotics?
Source: Freepik
Both bacteria and viruses can cause disease. In this case, antibiotics work by killing ‘living’ bacteria by stopping their growth and reproduction.
Unlike viruses, which are not considered “alive” and grow and reproduce only after they invade other living cells, the human immune system can fight off some viruses, but not antibiotics.
Since they were first prescribed in the 1940s, antibiotics have saved millions of lives from diseases caused by bacteria.
The diseases in question are colds, sore throats, coughs, fevers, ear infections and also some other serious diseases caused by viruses, but with the same symptoms as above. For example pneumonia, whooping cough , urinary tract infections, sinus infections, or strep throat .
In addition, antibiotics can also be given to children who have more difficult healing conditions. Such as problems with cleft palate, down syndrome , immune disorders, and children who have cochlear implants.
Are Antibiotics Safe for Children?
Source: Freepik
Generally, doctors will not give antibiotics to children carelessly, especially children under 3 years old. If the child’s illness is mild, the doctor may not recommend antibiotics, but rather observation or non-antibiotic treatment.
Unlike babies with high fever, moderate to severe earache, or pneumonia symptoms, antibiotics are sometimes needed. Before prescribing antibiotics, your pediatrician will find out if this medicine is right for treating your child’s infection.
So to be clear, antibiotics are safe to give to children as long as they are given according to these rules:
- The type of antibiotic for children must be in accordance with the child’s disease diagnosis.
- Give children antibiotics according to the instructions for use (on the packaging).
- Take antibiotics at the same time every day. If you forget to take your dose, take it as soon as you remember and then continue taking your child’s antibiotics as usual. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your child’s regular dosing schedule. Remember, do not take a double dose to make up for a missed dose.
- Do not use children’s antibiotics for siblings or friends either.
- Store antibiotics and other prescription medications in a safe place. Count and track the number of pills you have and lock it away.
- Its use is not excessive. If excessive, its properties become less effective in killing disease-causing bacteria.
- Throw away any remaining antibiotics if you no longer need them, or return the remaining prescription to the hospital, clinic, or pharmacy.
Types of Antibiotics
Antibiotics come in many types, and each type works on different types of bacteria or diseases. Here is a list of pediatric antibiotics that are commonly prescribed by doctors, according to the pageChildren :
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Penicillin ( Penicillin )
Like amoxicillin and penicillin G. Amoxicillin is at the top of the list of most commonly prescribed pediatric medications as first-line therapy for treating childhood strep throat, ear infections, sinus infections, and pneumonia. In children, the dose is usually twice daily and prescribed for 10 days.
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Beta-Lactamase Inhibitors
The type of beta-lactamase inhibitor children’s antibiotic is Amoxicillin-clavulanic acid/Augmentin , which is a combination of the antibiotic amoxicillin with potassium clavulanate.
In children it is usually prescribed for more complicated ear infections, children with a history of recurrent ear infections, children with more complicated sinus infections, and some types of pneumonia. The dose is taken twice daily for 10 days.
Such as cefdinir , ceftibuten, and others. This drug is also prescribed for complicated ear infections, pneumonia and for children with a history of recurrent ear infections and for bacterial sinus infections.
These include azithromycin and erythromycin . These are commonly prescribed for whooping cough and milder forms of pneumonia, and can be given for shorter courses, such as three or five days. They are given once a day and are prescribed occasionally.
Such as trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole . Prescribed usually to treat resistant staph infections and urinary tract infections.
11 List of Antibiotics Commonly Given to Children
Source: Freepik
PagesKernodlementions 11 lists of pediatric antibiotics that are commonly prescribed by pediatricians. Here they are!
1. Amoxicillin
Amoxicillin tops the list of most commonly prescribed pediatric medications. It is an inexpensive pediatric antibiotic that is well tolerated by most children.
This medication is given orally and is usually given as a liquid in younger children, and as a tablet or capsule in older children and adults. Amoxicillin is commonly used to treat sore throats, ear infections, sinus infections, and childhood pneumonia.
2. Amoxicillin/Clavulanic Acid
This children’s antibiotic combines the antibiotic amoxicillin with clavulanic acid, a type of enzyme that helps the antibiotic fight bacteria that might be resistant to the antibiotic alone. It works the same as regular amoxicillin, but is commonly prescribed to kill bacteria from infected bites and mouth infections.
3. Albuterol
Albuterol is a type of medicine called a bronchodilator that is commonly used to treat breathing problems by widening the airways of the lungs (bronchi) – it is prescribed to relieve asthma symptoms. It comes in a metered-dose inhaler or in a nebulizer .
4. Cephalexin
Like many commonly prescribed pediatric medications, Cephalexin is a pediatric antibiotic. It is available as a capsule, tablet, or oral suspension to treat ear infections, respiratory infections, urinary tract infections, and skin infections such as impetigo.
5. Azithromycin
This children’s antibiotic is also available as a generic drug and is usually prescribed for ear infections and is available in the form of tablets, oral suspension (liquid), and eye drops.
6. Fluticasone
Fluticasone is a steroid that is used in combination with other medications. Depending on the combination of medications, Fluticasone can be prescribed as a nasal spray, cream, and ointment. It is effective in treating asthma, eczema, and allergies.
7. Ibuprofen
Ibuprofen is an NSAID ( nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug ) used to treat fever, pain, and inflammation.
8. Cefdinir
This children’s antibiotic is used to treat sinus infections, ear infections, and pneumonia. It is usually not the first antibiotic a pediatrician will prescribe. One reason is that it is more expensive than other antibiotics.
9. Montelukast Sodium/Singulair
Montelukast Sodium is used to treat asthma and relieve symptoms of seasonal allergies. It is a type of medicine called a leukotriene inhibitor, which is commonly used to prevent or reduce the body’s reaction to allergens.
10. Prednisone
Prednisone is a type of corticosteroid, a class of drugs that reduce inflammation in the body. Prednisone is commonly used to treat asthma attacks, croup , and allergic reactions to things like poison ivy . It is usually prescribed for a short period of time in small doses.
11. Nystatin
Nystatin is an antifungal medication that treats infections caused by fungi such as yeast. It can be taken by mouth to treat infections in the mouth such as thrush, and it also comes in topical forms such as creams, ointments, and powders to treat skin conditions such as diaper rash.
When antibiotics are used excessively
Excessive use of antibiotics can cause antibiotic resistance or what is known as Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR).
This means that antibiotics are no longer able to work against the bacteria and can cause more serious infections and higher doses are needed for effective treatment.
More serious infections include pneumococcal infections (pneumonia, ear infections, sinus infections, and meningitis), skin infections, and tuberculosis.
Do I Have to Finish My Antibiotics?
Yes, Mom! Often the illness heals before the antibiotics run out, and this is often a reason to stop taking antibiotics.
In fact, antibiotics are prescribed as a comprehensive treatment to optimally kill disease-causing bacteria.
QuotingMayo Clinic,If a child does not take antibiotics as prescribed (dose and duration of use) , the child may need to start treatment from the beginning again.
Another thing that may be happening is an increase in the spread of antibiotic resistance among harmful bacteria in children’s bodies.
So to avoid all that, finish your child’s antibiotics, okay, Mom!
Can You Refuse a Doctor’s Antibiotic Prescription?
Sumber: Freepik
Antibiotics are important medicines. Many antibiotics are successful in treating infections caused by bacteria (bacterial infections).
Antibiotics can also prevent the spread of disease and reduce serious complications of the disease.
If you refuse because you are unsure about the doctor’s diagnosis, it is a good idea to ask for an explanation again whether the use of pediatric antibiotics is necessary for the bacterial infection your child is experiencing.
However, if the reason is the high price of antibiotics, you can ask your doctor to change to a cheaper brand of antibiotic (generic, for example).
10 Antibiotics That Are Prohibited from Being Given to Babies and Children
Source: Freepik
Minister of Health Regulation 2406 of 2011 has issued guidelines for the proper and safe use of antibiotics.
Well, here are 10 types of antibiotics that are not recommended to be given to children because they can cause more serious health problems, such as:
- Cartilage damage ( cartilage dysgenesis ): Ciprofloxacin and Norfloxacin ; not recommended for children under 12 years of age.
- Causes tooth discoloration and bone growth disorders: Tetracycline ; Not recommended for children under 4 years of age, or in high doses.
- Grey baby syndrome: Thiamphenicol and Chloramphenicol ; Not recommended for newborns or neonates .
- There is no data on the effectiveness and safety of: Lincomycin HCL, Piperacillin-tazobactam, Azithromycin Tigecycline, Spiramycin, and Cotrimoxazole ; Not recommended for newborns.
If your little one is sick for more than a few days or if their symptoms get worse, see your pediatrician right away.
Your little one may be prescribed antibiotics. To support their recovery, give them antibiotics according to your doctor’s instructions and follow the directions carefully.
Antibiotics take time to work, and your child may not show improvement for several days after taking antibiotics – most bacterial infections get better within 48-72 hours of taking antibiotics.
If your child’s symptoms worsen or do not improve within 72 hours, take your child to the doctor immediately.
On the other hand, if your child recovers quickly after taking antibiotics, continue to finish the remaining antibiotics prescribed by the doctor. This is so that the infection can be completely treated and the symptoms will not recur.
Republished with permission from theAsianParent Indonesia
