The use of antibiotics for colds is one of the most controversial issues in medical practice. Some doctors prescribe antibacterial drugs at the first symptoms of the disease . There are also experts who recommend giving antibiotics to children at the very least. What definitely cannot be done is self-medication. The healing process should be strictly supervised by a qualified specialist.
What are they?
Many mothers, without consulting a doctor, acquire antibiotics for children with a cold. However, they do not even imagine what kind of drugs. In fact, antibiotics are simple metabolic products of various microorganisms. The most common derivatives are mushrooms. Special substances that are produced by microorganisms contribute to the death of bacteria or stop their reproduction.
It should be remembered that not all bacteria are pathogenic. Virtually everything is populated by these unicellular organisms. The only exceptions are cerebrospinal fluid and blood. The weight of the total number of bacteria in an adult human body reaches several kilograms! Many unicellulars have tremendous benefits. Without them, organs could not function normally, and the immune system would be too vulnerable. Parents should remember that antibiotic treatment for children can be dangerous. The specialist should prescribe a comprehensive treatment aimed not only at a specific disease, but also at restoring healthy microflora.
When are antibiotics powerless?
Antibiotics can only be used to treat diseases caused by bacteria. It is impractical to remove viral infections with the help of such medications. Parents are mistaken who immediately start giving their child a good antibiotic for colds. No matter how good the medicine, it can be useless.
A simple runny nose, cough, sore throat most often have a viral nature.
Bacterial diseases with colds are rare. Therefore, children's
antibiotics for colds are prescribed in exceptional cases. Previously, the doctor must establish an accurate diagnosis.
There are a lot of viruses that cause respiratory diseases in babies. The immune system must develop antibodies. It is no coincidence that children get sick quite often in preschool age. This is absolutely normal. Antibiotics also contribute to the suppression of immunity. If the baby does not acquire the necessary antibodies in childhood, he will often get sick at an older age.
The use of antibacterial agents
Common colds in children last no more than two weeks. In this case, treatment is reduced only to the elimination of symptoms. The body itself fights the infection. It is no coincidence that pediatricians do not recommend knocking the temperature below 38.5 degrees. If the disease is delayed, the doctor may prescribe an additional study to identify the cause. It is impossible to determine that the common cold is bacterial in nature with the help of a regular visual inspection.
Pathogenic bacteria are dangerous not only by the manifestation of unpleasant colds. They can also contribute to complications. Properly untreated bacterial infection can lead to rheumatism and heart problems. In this case, a good antibiotic for colds should be prescribed.
The most common childhood illness, which must be treated with an antibacterial drug, is purulent tonsillitis. The disease is characterized by severe sore throat, the appearance of white plaque on the glands and an increase in body temperature to 40 degrees.
Could there be any side effects?
Any medication has a list of side effects. Antibacterial agents are also no exception. In this case, it is rather difficult to answer the question which antibiotics are better for colds. Negative effects will be minimized with strict adherence to the doctor’s instructions.
The main disadvantage is the fact that under the influence of drugs fall not only pathogenic bacteria, but also those that live quietly in the human body and contribute to its normal functioning. The microflora is disturbed, which means that the child may have unpleasant symptoms. These include fungal infections of the mucous membranes, a violation of the functions of the gastrointestinal tract, allergic reactions in the form of a rash and redness. Other symptoms may appear that will depend on the individual tolerance of a particular drug.
We observe safety precautions
So that antibiotics for children with a cold do not have a harmful effect, you should know a few rules. First of all, you can not use antibacterial drugs without a doctor's prescription. There is another side to the coin. If the drug is still prescribed, you should drink it strictly according to the scheme. The fact is that unpleasant symptoms can disappear the next day after the start of taking antibiotics. But this does not mean that the child is healthy. Initially, only sensitive bacteria die. The course of antibiotic treatment most often lasts at least five days.
Some medicines should not be taken with alcohol. Therefore, antibiotics for children with colds cannot be prescribed in parallel with herbal tinctures for alcohol. The combination of such drugs can lead to the appearance of shortness of breath in the baby, heart palpitations, as well as dizziness.
Together with antibacterial treatment, the doctor should prescribe drugs that will support the normal microflora of the body.
What antibiotics to use to treat a child?
On the market today there is a huge amount of antibacterial agents in various forms. For infants produce special preparations in the form of a suspension. In the most severe cases, injections are prescribed that have a stronger effect. In addition, antibiotics for colds are divided into classes. The name one and the same means may have different. The penicillin group includes drugs such as Amoxiclav, Augmetin, Ampicillin. Means "Azithromycin" refers to macrolides, and medicines "Cefuroxime" and "Suprax" to cephalosporins.
Almost all antibiotics produced by domestic manufacturers can be used to treat bacterial diseases in children. Depending on the age, only the dosage differs. Antibiotics for children with colds are rarely offered in tablets.
What antibiotics are contraindicated in children?
Due to a weakened immune system, all side effects from antibacterial drugs in babies are much stronger than in adults. Often there are such troubles as dysbiosis and fungal infections of the oral mucosa. In this regard, some antibiotics may be contraindicated. The names of drugs that are dangerous for the baby should be clarified in advance with the attending physician.
For children under the age of three, the drug "Levomycetin" is categorically contraindicated. There is a huge risk of damage to the central nervous system. History of known cases of death. Some antibiotics for colds are not the best option. The name of the drug "Ceftriaxone" should alert you. Third generation cephalosporins contribute to complete intestinal sterilization. As a result, the normal microflora almost dies, and it is replaced by fungal. Getting rid of such an infection can be quite difficult.
A few rules for the use of antibacterial agents
In order for the antibiotic to have the maximum beneficial effect and at the same time not harm the body, it should be used in accordance with the form of the disease. So, if the disease affects the upper respiratory tract, drops and aerosols will be an ideal option. Injectable drugs can be prescribed by a doctor in exceptional cases.
Ideally, antibiotics should be prescribed only after a complete investigation of the site of infection. The doctor will tell you the names of the drugs after determining the sensitivity of the pathogen. To combat certain groups of pathogenic bacteria, various types of antibacterial agents are used.
It is strictly forbidden to use antibiotics that have expired. For example, the expired Tetracycline drug can cause a child’s most complex kidney damage. It is worth buying funds only in specialized pharmacies.
Recovery after antibiotic therapy
Reception of antibiotics cannot pass without leaving a trace for a children's organism. At best, microflora suffers. At worst, the immune system weakens, and normal metabolism is also disturbed.
Proper nutrition helps to remove toxins and recover from illness. The diet of the child must include a large number of vegetables and fruits, as well as dairy products. During an exacerbation of the disease, the child should be given more fluid. In parallel, biologics can be used to restore normal microflora. In this case, treatment should be strictly agreed with the doctor.