Antibiotics for a Sore Throat, Cough, or Runny Nose
When children need them—and when they don’t If your kid has a sore throat, cough, or runny nose, you might expect the doctor to prescribe antibiotics. But most of the time, children don’t need antibiotics to treat a respiratory illness. In fact, antibiotics can do more harm than good. Here’s why: Antibiotics fight bacteria, not viruses. If your child has a bacterial infection, antibiotics may help. But if your child has a virus, antibiotics will not help your child feel better or keep others from getting sick. The common cold and flu are both viruses. Chest colds are also usually caused by viruses. Bronchiolitis is particular type of chest cold that often causes wheezing and can make young infants very sick. It is also caused by a virus. Most sinus infections (sinusitis) are caused by viruses. The symptoms are a lot of mucus in the nose and post-nasal drip. Mucus that is colored does not necessarily mean your child has a bacterial infection. Antibiotics do not...