When coughs don’t need antibiotics
When coughs don’t need antibiotics

Article at a Glance

  • Most coughs are caused by a viral infection from influenza, croup, or a cold.
  • The average cough lasts 18 days, but it is not uncommon for coughs to last up to 3 weeks.
  • If your child has a chronic cough, it might be allergies, asthma, or reflux.
When a sore throat doesn’t need antibiotics
When a sore throat doesn’t need antibiotics

Antibiotics only work on bacterial infections. Most sore throats are caused by viral infections like colds or the flu. In these cases, antibiotics don’t work and can actually make you sick longer. Taking antibiotics for a viral infection won’t cure your sore throat, keep others from catching it, or help you feel better. In these … Continue reading “When a sore throat doesn’t need antibiotics”

When taking an antibiotic can do more harm than good
When taking an antibiotic can do more harm than good

If you don’t need antibiotics, play it safe. Learn when antibiotics can do more harm than good. Antibiotics work great on bacterial infections – shortening illnesses and saving lives. But most colds, flu, coughs, sore throats, and earaches are caused by viral infections. If you have a viral infection, an antibiotic won’t help and the … Continue reading “When taking an antibiotic can do more harm than good”

Bugs are scary. Superbugs are even scarier.
Bugs are scary. Superbugs are even scarier.

Did you know that taking antibiotics when you don’t need them poses one of the world’s most significant public health risks? Unfortunately, overusing antibiotics causes antibiotic resistance. This is when a strain of bacteria becomes resistant to the multiple types of antibiotics. These superbugs become harder to treat and much more dangerous. Diseases that were … Continue reading “Bugs are scary. Superbugs are even scarier.”

Using the right tool for the job: When antibiotics do and don’t work
Using the right tool for the job: When antibiotics do and don’t work

Although bacteria and viruses can cause similar symptoms, they are more different than a screw and a nail. Bacteria and viruses are different in the way they are structured and reproduce. Viruses have to live within another living cell in order to survive. To reproduce, they hijack the cell by inserting their own genetic material … Continue reading “Using the right tool for the job: When antibiotics do and don’t work”

What you should know about using antibiotics
What you should know about using antibiotics

Article at a Glance

  • Antibiotics cannot cure a viral infection and the side effects could make you feel sicker longer.
  • Using antibiotics when they are not needed can cause antibiotic resistance; this is when antibiotics no longer work on disease-causing organisms.
  • Do not insist on taking antibiotics unless they are needed and be sure to always take them exactly as prescribed by the doctor.
How to tell if it is strep throat or a sore throat
How to tell if it is strep throat or a sore throat

Article at a Glance

  • Most sore throats are part of a viral cold, but strep throat is caused by bacteria.
  • Sore throats caused by strep last longer and aren’t accompanied by other cold symptoms.
  • Most colds can be treated at home, but strep throat will need to be treated by your pediatrician.
Report Cautions Doctors About Prescribing Antibiotics for Children
Report Cautions Doctors About Prescribing Antibiotics for Children

Article at a Glance Report finds that antibiotics are being over prescribed for upper respiratory infections in children. Overusing antibiotics creates infectious organisms that are resistant to antibiotics. Antibiotics only work on bacteria, not viruses. Using an antibiotic on a virus is not only unhelpful but can cause harmful side effects. Whether or not an … Continue reading “Report Cautions Doctors About Prescribing Antibiotics for Children”

Article Types

Archives

Sign up to our Newsletter

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Is Your Child Sick?


en español


Stay connected to your children’s health:

Want pediatric news, kid-friendly recipes and parenting tips?
Sign up for our patient parent newsletter:

Other great ways to connect: