Contents
Before using antibiotics, treat symptoms
Viruses are the cause of many small winter illnesses that heal spontaneously, without antibiotics, in 1 to 2 weeks. Be aware that nasopharyngitis, two-thirds of tonsillitis, and most ear infections, for example, are of viral origin and the only solution is to treat symptoms and stay warm. Our allies are the drugs that relieve the most common symptoms such as a runny nose and sneezing, headaches and throat pain, coughs and often a slight fever. The nose wash, in particular, makes it easier for the child to breathe, which is hampered in the event of nasal obstruction. Antipyretic drugs lower his fever and improve his comfort.
Antibiotics: never reuse an old prescription
Sometimes you have the impression that the doctor is always giving the same antibiotic and the temptation to “finish” an old prescription is great. This is a mistake that can be dangerous. Even though the symptoms appear to be the same, another germ may be causing the current illness. In addition, the antibiotics of one are not necessarily suitable for the other. Only your doctor can correctly diagnose a disease and establish the correct prescription. So never finish an old prescription. Better yet, when you have finished your treatment, dispose of the remainder by returning them to the pharmacy.
My child is sick: when to consult?
No need to rush to the doctor at the first symptom! If your child has a slight fever, cough, or has little difficulty breathing, it is most likely a mild infection. Consulting your doctor too early is useless because he will not be able to judge the viral or bacterial origin. So wait 2 or 3 days to consult, and in the absence of worrying signs (such as very high fever, drowsiness, crying or intense headaches, vomiting, acute diarrhea …), start by relieving your child to help him pass the cap.
Distinguish between viruses and bacteria
Your doctor can do this after a few days. He knows the diseases and their symptoms to distinguish them. If in doubt, he has rapid tests to determine if angina is viral or bacterial (RDT). Know that 60% of winter illnesses are of viral origin. To be cured, you have to wait for your immune system to clean up and eliminate the infected cells. If this is not enough, you may be prescribed antibiotics against the bacteria.
Antibiotics: trust your doctor
Only he can establish the diagnosis and prescribe the treatment adapted to your case. Trust him. Do not be fooled by some nursery or kindergarten professionals who still think that an antibiotic is essential to prevent contamination of other children. As the slogan of the health authorities says so well, “antibiotics are not automatic«.
Antibiotics: follow the treatment properly
You have the advice of a professional. So follow his recommendations. Observe the prescribed doses and duration of treatment, as the effectiveness of drugs depends on it. Carefully follow the dosage but do not double the amount at the next dose if you forget. And above all, do not stop treatment at the slightest improvement. To be completely destroyed, germs must stay in contact with antibiotics long enough, usually five to six days. Stopping the current treatment promotes the development of unkilled germs and therefore causes a relapse. In addition it entails the appearance of resistance. Indeed, when you do not finish your treatment, the bacteria are not completely defeated and take the opportunity to learn to fight against the antibiotic.