Florida Schools Get Smart: Know When Antibiotics Work

Information on antibiotic use and antibiotic resistance for parents

Your family is vulnerable to antibiotic resistant infections
Over the last decade, almost every type of bacteria has become stronger and less responsive to antibiotic treatment. Everyone is at risk of acquiring antibiotic-resistant infections, but your child may be at increased risk of these infections because antibiotic prescribing is highest for children, and children have the highest rate of infections caused by antibiotic-resistant pathogens (or germs). Families and entire communities are susceptible to antibiotic-resistant infections because they can spread to family members and school mates, which in turn may threaten the community with a new strain of infectious disease. Therefore, it is important for you as a parent to understand the severity of antibiotic misuse and resistance.

Antibiotic resistance is a serious problem for your family
Antibiotic misuse has resulted in the emergence of strains of bacteria that no longer respond to antibiotics. Repeated and improper use of antibiotics is a primary cause of increases in drug-resistant bacteria. If your child does not take antibiotics appropriately, they can get a resistant infection that can cause significant danger and suffering. Examples of problems your child may experience as a result of antibiotic-resistant infections include: longer illness, more doctor visits and extended hospital stays, and the need for more expensive and more toxic (or dangerous) medications. Some resistant infections can cause severe disability or even death. It is also easy for someone who has a resistant infection to pass that infection to another person.

Proper use of antibiotics is the answer
Proper use of antibiotics can help your child fight against bacterial infections. Some antibiotics actually kill bacteria, while others work against bacteria by stopping them from growing and multiplying. If antibiotics are used appropriately, the increase in antibiotic resistance could be avoided. Additionally, antibiotic-resistant bacteria can lose resistance over time if antibiotics are taken properly. Now that you know the benefits of proper antibiotic use, it is important for you to understand some of the barriers that contribute to antibiotic misuse and resistance among children.

Barriers than contribute to antibiotic misuse and resistance
There are a number of barriers to proper antibiotic use that contribute to the rise in antibiotic resistance among children. Major barriers associated with antibiotic resistance among children are parental knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about antibiotics. Many parents lack knowledge regarding proper antibiotic use and may not fully understand the dangers of antibiotic resistance. Parents who are unaware of the fact that antibiotics do not fight against viral infections may demand antibiotics from their child's doctor or health care provider unnecessarily, which contributes to antibiotic resistance. Additionally, many parents mistakenly believe that antibiotics cure viral and bacterial infections, which too contributes to children's increased risk of antibiotic resistance.

You can help to reduce antibiotic resistance
Now that you know how your child may be at increased risk of getting an antibiotic-resistant infection, and you understand the severity of antibiotic misuse and how it contributes to antibiotic resistance, there are a number of important things to keep in mind when your child is sick:

• Use antibiotics only when your child's doctor or health care provider has determined that antibiotics are likely to be effective.

• Ask your child's health care provider about antibiotic resistance.

• Give your child their antibiotics exactly as the doctor instructed. Do not skip doses, and complete the prescribed course of treatment even if your child says that he or she feels better.

• Do not save any antibiotics for the next time your child gets sick.

• Do not give your child antibiotics that were prescribed for someone else. That antibiotic may not be appropriate for your child's illness.  Giving your child the wrong medication can be very harmful to your child's health.

• Do not demand antibiotics when your child's healthcare provider has determined they are not needed.

• If you are unsure about anything regarding your child's antibiotic medications, ask your child's doctor or health care provider.