The Antibiotic Myth
Many parents believe that antibiotics are the only thing that can make a sick child better. Even though parents are usually quite satisfied after the pediatrician has given them a detailed explanation of their child's condition, there are plenty of situations when a visit to the doctor can become a source of frustration and dismay. If parents clamor for a prescription of antibiotics when doctors recommend against it, the encounter can become tense. At the end of such a visit, both the parents and the doctor are worn out.
This type of confrontation clearly isn't necessary. Parents and doctor are both acting in the best interest of the child, so there really shouldn't be any conflict of interest. There is no reason why any doctor would withhold the appropriate treatment when it is indicated. If parents understand the reason behind the doctor's reluctance in handing out antibiotics, the doctor-patient relationship can be significantly improved.
A Case of Misunderstanding
In fact, this parental pressure for pediatricians to prescribe antibiotics is so overwhelming that many pediatricians go out of their way to avoid using the word “infection” with parents. The second this word is uttered, parents tend to set their minds on getting a prescription for antibiotics for their child's illness, and the remainder of the visit becomes a battle of the wills between the doctor and the parents.
Some parents find it unreasonable and incredible that the doctor would withhold an essential form of treatment from their child. As far as they are concerned, the doctor isn't doing the right thing. Not giving an antibiotic prescription means that the doctor simply doesn't care.
Fact
Antibiotics are completely useless against infections caused by viruses, whereas they are sometimes useful against bacteria. Doctors do not use antibiotics against viruses because it does not make any sense to prescribe a medication that is completely ineffective in the given situation.
Types of Infections
Ultimately, infections can be caused by a wide range of organisms, including viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites. Aside from the more exotic causes and origins, the vast majority of childhood infections are caused by viruses and bacteria. It is crucial to understand this distinction because the approach to treatment is entirely different.
Antibiotics can frequently shorten the duration of a bacterial infection. In some cases, antibiotic use plays an essential role in the cure of and recovery from the infection. At the same time, antibiotics are not always able to help treat all bacterial infections. Your doctor is well trained in deciding whether it is necessary to use antibiotics to fight an infection.
Bacterial meningitis is an example of an illness caused by bacterial infection. It is a very serious and potentially fatal infection of the tissues covering the brain. No doctor would hesitate in treating bacterial meningitis with antibiotics. Other common childhood bacterial infections include pneumonia, bone and joint infections, and skin infections.
Alert!
Not all bacterial infections should be treated with antibiotics. In some cases, managing certain types of bacterial infections with antibiotics can actually make things worse. For example, when a patient with typhoid fever is treated with antibiotics, the treatment prolongs the infection instead of treating it.
On the other hand, ear infections may or may not need to be treated with antibiotics. European health providers have successfully been using an observational approach (that is, not prescribing antibiotics for all ear infections) when managing ear infections. Viruses cause a significant percentage of ear infections, and even those caused by bacteria frequently resolve without medical intervention.
