How Do Antibiotics Work?

The CDC (Center for Disease Control) in the U.S. in November is a campaign for responsible use of antibiotics, both for parents and for doctors. The importance of buying prescription drugs is also explained.

It is important that parents know when and why to use antibiotics.

Antibiotics or antibacterials are not the solution to every infection that your child has. There are actually two types of germs that cause most infections in humans: viruses and bacteria, and the antibiotics are useful only against bacteria, as the name implies.

Bacteria are unicellular organisms which have the size of a few millimeters. They are in our skin, in our digestive system, and in our mouths and throats. In fact, there are a hundred thousand billion of them living within us.

Although most are harmless, some have a positive role in our body (for example, help in the digestion of nutrients), others are dangerous and cause infections. They are responsible for many childhood diseases, which includes the majority of ear infections and throat, some of the respiratory tract, such as pneumonia and sinusitis and is the most common urinary tract infection.

Viruses are even smaller than bacteria. Despite their size, they may cause mild and severe disease when they enter healthy cells of the body. They are responsible for the common cold, flu and sore throat and other illnesses. Also cause smallpox, measles, mumps, hepatitis and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

The antibiotics can not kill the virus and do not work against viral infections. If given to the child when she has a viral infection, not only can cause side effects, but also cause a serious problem of antibiotic resistance. There are drugs called antivirals have been developed to combat viruses and are used in very special cases.

For children, the antibiotics are available in various forms, including tablets, capsules, chewables and liquids or creams. When the pediatrician to prescribe a remedy, he will choose the best for the specific germ that causes disease in your child.

Antibacterial activity

The antibacterial combat infectious bacteria in the organism. They attack the disease process, destroying the structure of germs or their ability to divide or reproduce.

If done blood tests, urine or other tests that identify the specific bacteria that cause infection in your child, your pediatrician may prescribe an antibacterial directed to the germs that cause disease. As they take 24-48 hours to get ready, doctors often use their experience and knowledge in health care to choose the antibiotic to be used in each disease.

Remember, if your child has a cold, antibiotics are not the solution. Sometimes it is difficult for parents to identify whether the child's disease is caused by viruses or bacteria. For this reason, never try to diagnose and treat the illness of the child without consulting a pediatrician.

Side effects of antibiotics

Antibiotics can be very useful, but can produce side effects in some people.

In children can cause stomach upset (nausea or loose stools) and some people have an allergic reaction to penicillin and other antibiotics, symptoms such as rash (red spots) or breathing difficulties. If you have severe allergic reactions such as difficulty breathing or swallowing due to "closed throat", bring to the pediatric emergency room immediately.

Antibiotics are often used to prevent diseases?

Antimicrobials are used primarily to treat infections that your child can develop, but are sometimes prescribed to prevent a disease that occurs frequently. For example, for children who have repeated infections are given antibacterial urine to reduce the likelihood that again. The drugs can kill bacteria before they have a chance to cause an infection.

Below are some circumstances in which the preventive action of antibiotics may be prescribed for children:

1 - Penicillin serves for the prevention of acute rheumatic fever;

2 - A child who has been bitten by a dog, another animal, or even a person will be given medications to prevent a possible infection;

3 - In a surgical procedure may be prescribed medications before surgery to prevent infection from developing into the surgical site. Typically, these drugs are given to children no more than 30 minutes before the operation. A single dose, it is often necessary.