Seeing your child sick can make any parent eager to find the quickest treatment as soon as possible. Antibiotics are a great invention and are wonderful tools when used to tackle bacterial infections, but they aren’t always the right solution!

It is important to know the appropriate time to seek out antibiotics for your child. Our staff at AFC Urgent Care Boulder can help distinguish whether your child would benefit from a round of antibiotics.

What Do Antibiotics Work Against?

Antibiotics were developed to tackle bacterial infections. Infections can be both bacterial or viral, but it is important to understand that antibiotics do NOT work against viral infections. If your child has a cold or the flu, antibiotics are not the answer.

If your child is prescribed an antibiotic for his or her infection, the medication goes to work to kill off the bacteria and prevent further growth of the infection. It is important that your child takes the entire round to completely eliminate the infection.

Bacterial Infections in Children

• Bladder infection
• Strep throat
• Ear or sinus Infections
• Skin infections

How Can I Use Antibiotics Wisely?

You have probably heard the term “antibiotic resistance” before. That is when certain bacterial infections are no longer treatable by common antibiotics due to either their evolution or antibiotic abuse.

This is why it is important to take your child to see a doctor to determine whether an antibiotic will help. If it won’t and you give your child one anyhow, you will be contributing to the problem and helping create superinfections.

Using Antibiotics for Your Child Responsibly

• Follow all instructions on your child’s pill bottle.
• Be seen by a medical provider before taking medications.
• Only give your child antibiotics if they were prescribed to him or her.
• Never use old antibiotics left over from an old prescription.

Antibiotics are a great tool when used appropriately! If you think you need a prescription for an infection you have, come see us at AFC Urgent Care Boulder.