Caring for Your Child Receiving Home IV Antibiotics

Intravenous (IV) antibiotics can be used at home to treat some infections.

Intravenous or IV means given into a vein. Some infections need to be treated with IV antibiotics rather than antibiotics taken by mouth. Home IV antibiotics are sometimes given after a child has started treatment at the hospital and is well enough to go home. Home IV antibiotics allow a child to get the best treatment for the infection while being comfortable at home, enjoying many of his or her normal activities and routines.

You'll have help with your child's IV antibiotics from a home care company. Home antibiotics are often given through a peripherally inserted central venous catheter, or PICC line. The home care nurse will change the PICC line dressing and do any lab work your health care professional has ordered. The nurse will also check the area around the PICC line to look for any signs of infection.

• You'll be shown how and when to give the antibiotics.

• Wash and dry your hands well before giving the antibiotics.

• Keep the area around the PICC line clean and dry.

• Flush the PICC line as instructed.

• Don't change your child's dressing; the home care nurse will do this. If the dressing gets wet or dirty or comes off, call the nurse.

• Give your child all the antibiotic doses as prescribed, even if he or she is feeling better. This is the best way to kill the harmful bacteria.

• Your child develops a fever.

• Your child has diarrhea.

• The area around the PICC line is red, tender, or warm.

• There's any bleeding or other fluid leaking around the PICC line.

• There are any problems with the PICC line.

• Your child develops swelling of the arm, neck, or face.

• Your child looks sicker to you.

• Your child has new symptoms.

• Your child has pain in the chest, shoulder, arm, hand, or neck.

• If your child has trouble breathing or you notice the skin looks bluish, call 911.

You'll need to get the OK from your health care professional about when your child can safely return to school, extracurricular activities, and sports.