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Antibiotic Facts
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Appropriate Use of Antibiotics
- Are antibiotics safe?
Yes.
- Antibiotics taken as prescribed are generally safe and effective at combating bacterial infections.
- Some people may be allergic to certain antibiotics, but can usually take other types of antibiotics if needed.
- All medications can have side effects, so be sure to ask your child’s health care provider about potential side effects and how to manage them.
- When are antibiotics needed?
- Your child should take antibiotics - the complete prescription - when his/her health care provider prescribes them for a bacterial infection.
- Anti-bacterial drugs are needed when your child has an infection caused by a bacteria.
- These drugs cannot fight infections caused by viruses.
- When my child starts feeling better can he/she stop taking the antibiotic?
No.
- Not before you complete all the medication prescribed.
- The prescription is written to cover the time needed for your body to completely kill the bacteria.
- If you stop taking the antibiotic early, the bacteria that are still alive are more likely to be resistant and could restart the infection - or pass it on to others.
- Can I save antibiotics for the next time my child is sick?
No.
- Taking incomplete doses of antibiotics will not make you better and will increase your risk for developing resistant bacteria in the future.
- Also, your next illness may be caused by a virus instead of a bacteria - and antibiotics won’t help.
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