Dangers of Antibiotic Resistance

Colds and many other upper respiratory infections, as well as some ear infections, are caused by viruses, not bacteria. If antibiotics are used too often for things they can’t treat—like colds or other viral infections—they can stop working effectively against bacteria when you or your child really needs them. Antibiotic resistance—when antibiotics can no longer cure bacterial infections—has been a concern for years and is considered one of the world’s most critical public health threats.

CDC efforts have resulted in fewer children receiving unnecessary antibiotics in recent years, but inappropriate use remains a problem. Widespread overuse and inappropriate use of antibiotics continues to fuel an increase in antibiotic-resistant bacteria.So the next time you or your child really needs an antibiotic for a bacterial infection, it may not work.

Antibiotic resistance is also an economic burden on the entire healthcare system. Resistant infections cost more to treat and can prolong healthcare use.

If You or Your Child Has a Virus Like a Cold or Sore Throat

Taking antibiotics when you or your child has a virus may do more harm than good. In fact, in children, antibiotics are the most common cause of emergency department visits for adverse drug events. Rest, fluids, and over-the-counter products may be your or your child’s best treatment option.

• Will not cure the infection
• Will not keep other people from getting sick
• Will not help you or your child feel better
• May cause unnecessary and harmful side effects

What Not to Do

• Do not demand antibiotics when a doctor says they are not needed.
• Do not take an antibiotic for a viral infection like a cold or most sore throats.
• Do not take antibiotics prescribed for someone else. The antibiotic may not be right for your or your child’s illness. Taking the wrong medicine may delay correct treatment and allow bacteria to increase.

If your doctor prescribes an antibiotic for bacterial infection:

• Do not skip doses.
• Do not save any of the antibiotics for the next time you or your child gets sick.

Just because your doctor doesn’t give you an antibiotic doesn’t mean you aren’t sick.

Talk with your doctor about the best treatment for your or your child’s illness. To feel better when you or your child has an upper respiratory infection:

• Ask your doctor or pharmacist about over-the-counter treatment options that may help reduce symptoms
• Increase fluid intake
• Get plenty of rest
• Use a cool-mist vaporizer or saline nasal spray to relieve congestion
• Soothe a throat with ice chips, sore throat spray, or lozenges (do not give lozenges to young children)

Use Wisely

Remember–there are potential risks when taking any prescription drug. Antibiotics should only be used when a doctor determines they are needed. Learn more about these risks.

Symptom Relief

Children and adults with viral infections, which antibiotics cannot treat, usually recover when the illness has run its course. Colds, a type of viral infection, can last for up to two weeks. You should keep your healthcare provider informed if your or your child’s illness gets worse or lasts longer than expected. Over-the-counter medicines may help relieve some symptoms.

How to Feel Better

What can I do to feel better if antibiotics won’t treat my illness because it’s caused by a virus?
For upper respiratory infections, such as sore throats, ear infections, sinus infections, colds, and bronchitis, try the following:

• Get plenty of rest
• Drink plenty of fluids
• Use a clean humidifier or cool mist vaporizer
• Avoid smoking, second-hand smoke, and other pollutants (airborne chemicals or irritants)
• Take acetaminophen, ibuprofen or naproxen to relieve pain or fever

For children and adults, over-the-counter pain relievers, decongestants and saline nasal sprays may help relieve some symptoms. Remember, always use over-the-counter products as directed. Many over-the-counter products are not recommended for children younger than certain ages.

Over-the-counter medicines may help relieve symptoms such as runny nose, congestion, fever and aches, but they do not shorten the length of time you or your child is sick.

 Here are some helpful tips for how to feel better depending on how you or your child feels.

Sore Throat

• Soothe a sore throat with ice chips, sore throat spray, or lozenges (do not give lozenges to young children)
• Use a clean humidifier or cool mist vaporizer
• Take acetaminophen, ibuprofen or naproxen to relieve pain or fever

Ear Pain

• Put a warm moist cloth over the ear that hurts
• Take acetaminophen, ibuprofen or naproxen to relieve pain or fever

Runny Nose

• Use a decongestant or saline nasal spray to help relieve nasal symptoms

Sinus Pain/Pressure

• Put a warm compress over the nose and forehead to help relieve sinus pressure
• Use a decongestant or saline nasal spray
• Breathe in steam from a bowl of hot water or shower
• Take acetaminophen, ibuprofen or naproxen to relieve pain or fever .

Cough

• Use a clean humidifier or cool mist vaporizer or breathe in steam from a bowl of hot water or shower )

Over-the-Counter (OTC) Medicines

For children and adults, over-the-counter pain relievers, decongestants and saline nasal sprays may help relieve some symptoms. Remember, always use over-the-counter products as directed. Not all products are recommended for children younger than certain ages. Overuse and misuse of OTC cough and cold medicines in young children can result in serious and potentially life-threatening side effects.

These medicines may help relieve symptoms such as runny nose, congestion, fever and aches, but they do not shorten the length of time you or your child is sick.

Questions and Answers for Parents about Over-the-Counter (OTC) Medicines

For adults, over-the-counter pain relievers, decongestants and saline nasal sprays may help relieve some symptoms. Remember, always use over-the-counter products as directed.

For children, over-the-counter pain relievers, decongestants and saline nasal sprays may help relieve some symptoms. Not all products are recommended for children of certain ages.

These medicines may help relieve symptoms such as runny nose, congestion, fever and aches, but they do not shorten the length of time you or your child is sick.

Q: What pain relievers can I give my child?

A: For babies 6 months of age or younger, parents should only give acetaminophen for pain relief. For a child 6 months of age or older, either acetaminophen or ibuprofen can be given for pain relief. Be sure to ask your child’s healthcare provider for the right dosage for your child’s age and size. Do not give aspirin to your child because of Reye’s syndrome, a rare but very serious illness that harms the liver and brain. Learn more about Reye’s syndrome.

Q: Should parents give cough and cold medicines to young children?

A: The Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA), a group that represents most of the makers of nonprescription over-the-counter (OTC) cough and cold medicines, recommends that these products not be used in children under 4 years of age. . Overuse and misuse of OTC cough and cold medicines in young children can result in serious and potentially life-threatening side effects.

Q: What can parents do to help their children feel better if they are too young to take cough and cold medicines or the healthcare provider advises against using them?

A: Parents might consider clearing nasal congestion in infants with a rubber suction bulb. Also, a stuffy nose can be relieved with saline nose drops or a clean humidified or cool-mist vaporizer.

Q: Should parents give cough and cold medicines to children over 4 years of age?

A: Cough and cold symptoms usually go away without treatment after a certain amount of time. Over-the-counter cough and cold medicines will not cure the common cold, but may give some temporary relief of symptoms. Parents should consult their child’s healthcare provider if they have any concerns or questions about giving their child a medication. Parents should always tell their child’s healthcare provider about all prescription and over-the-counter medicines they are giving their child.

Q: What should parents and doctors be careful of if they want to give cough and cold medicines to children over 4 years of age?

A: Always keep medications in original bottles or containers, with the cap secure, and up and away from children. Children getting into and taking medications without adult supervision can lead to serious and potentially life-threatening effects. Avoid giving more than one cough and cold medicine at a time to children. Two medicines may have different brand names but may contain the same ingredient. Some cough and cold medicines contain more than one active ingredient. Also, follow directions carefully to avoid giving too much medication; the right amount of medication often depends on your child’s age and weight.