When an Antibiotic Is Needed: How to Care for Your Child

Antibiotics are medicines that treat infections caused by germs called bacteria. Your child has an infection caused by bacteria and needs to take an antibiotic to get better. For the antibiotic to work properly, your child needs to take it exactly as prescribed.

• Store the medicine according to package instructions. Some antibiotics need to be stored in a refrigerator. Ask the pharmacist if you're not sure. 

• Give your child the prescribed medicine as directed: 

  • Follow directions for when and how often to give the antibiotic. 

  • Give all doses as prescribed, even if your child is feeling better. 

  • If advised, have your child take it with food.

  • If advised, help your child avoid certain foods while taking the medicine. 

  • If your child misses a dose, give the next dose as prescribed and continue the course. Don't give more than one dose at a time.

• Sometimes taking antibiotics can cause an upset stomach or diarrhea. Ask your health care professional if your child should take probiotics. Probiotics are "good" bacteria that help keep the intestines healthy.

• If there is leftover medicine after your child has taken all the prescribed doses, don't save it for your child or anyone else to use later. Get rid of leftover medicine through a medicine take-back program in your community. If no programs are available, mix the medicine with used coffee grounds, dirt, or kitty litter. Place the mixture in a sealed bag before putting it in the trash. Remove the label with your child's information from the medicine bottle or package and tear it up before recycling or disposing of it.

Your child:

• doesn't start to feel better within 48 hours of starting the antibiotic

• has a fever that lasts for more than 48 hours after starting the antibiotic

• develops stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea

• has blood in his or her poop

• is vomiting 

• has trouble taking the antibiotic

• develops a new rash

• seems to be getting worse

Your child:

• has trouble breathing

• has trouble swallowing

• has swelling of the throat or tongue

What are bacteria? Bacteria are germs. Some bacteria are good for us, but others can make us sick. When harmful bacteria enter the body and multiply it is called a bacterial infection. Bacteria are different from other kinds of germs like viruses.

How do antibiotics work? Antibiotic medicines treat infections by killing bacteria or by stopping bacteria from growing and multiplying. Antibiotics can only treat infections caused by bacteria. They can't treat infections caused by viruses (like colds or flu).

Why should I keep giving the medicine if my child starts to feel better? Stopping antibiotics early may only partly treat the infection, letting the infection come back. The infection may be harder to treat in the future. So your child should take all doses of the medicine as directed.