Antibiotics for Children: When They Help and When They Do Not
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Antibiotics treat specific bacterial infections. They do not treat most viral coughs, colds, flu-like illnesses, or uncomplicated viral diarrhea. The right decision is not “stronger medicine”; it is the correct diagnosis and the narrowest effective treatment when treatment is needed.
When antibiotics may help
A clinician may prescribe antibiotics for a confirmed or strongly suspected bacterial infection, such as selected ear infections, bacterial pneumonia, urinary tract infection, streptococcal throat infection, skin infection, or other diagnosed bacterial disease.
When they usually do not help
- Most common colds
- Most viral coughs
- Influenza and other viral respiratory infections
- Many sore throats
- Most short episodes of watery diarrhea
Why unnecessary antibiotics are harmful
- Diarrhea, rash, nausea, or allergic reaction
- Disruption of normal bacteria
- Harder-to-treat resistant infections later
- Delay in identifying the real cause of symptoms
Use antibiotics safely
- Use only the medicine prescribed for that child and illness.
- Give the measured dose at the instructed times.
- Do not share medicines or use leftovers.
- Ask what to do after a missed or vomited dose.
- Report a rash, breathing problem, severe diarrhea, or other suspected reaction.
- Do not stop, extend, or change the course without guidance.
Questions to ask the doctor
- What bacterial infection are we treating?
- Is testing needed?
- What improvement should we expect and when?
- What side effects require a call or emergency care?
- When should the child be reassessed?
Emergency reaction
Seek emergency care for difficulty breathing, facial or tongue swelling, collapse, severe weakness, or poor responsiveness after any medicine.
Book an infection evaluation or antibiotic review.
Source
CDC: Antibiotic Use and Antimicrobial Resistance
Medically reviewed by Dr. Justin Ong Ho. Last reviewed August 1, 2026.