Contrary to expectations, antibiotic treatment is not required for cough, runny nose and sore throat. These conditions, defined as upper respiratory tract infections by some disciplines, emphasize the unnecessaryness of antibiotic treatment.
Most of these clinical conditions are caused by viruses. As it is known, antibiotics are effective against bacteria but cannot be used in clinical conditions caused by viruses.
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The cause of cold and flu is viruses.
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Bronchiolitis
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Many sinus infections
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Some ear infections
Caused by viruses These are clinical pictures.
In these cases, treatment is symptomatic and in some cases antiviral treatment is applied. After the diagnosis of flu is confirmed by laboratory methods, antiviral agents that are effective against viruses are started immediately. However, bacterial infections may also occur following influenza infection in some patients. In this case, antibiotic treatment can be started.
Some ear infections and sinus infections improve without starting antibiotics.
Clinical findings are evaluated in a child with a sore throat. These findings
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Fever
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Exudate in the tonsils
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Swelling in the neck lymph nodes and the presence of sensitivity
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The absence of cough
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And the patient being under 15 years of age.
If 2 or more of these findings are positive, a strep test should be performed, considering streptococcal throat infection. If the strep test is positive, no culture is required. In this case, antibiotic treatment is started. Treatment is planned for 5 to 10 days, depending on the antibiotic started.
If the strep test is negative, the throat culture result is waited and if it is positive, antibiotic treatment is started.
Since Group A streptococcus (beta microbe) is rarely seen in children under 3 years of age, there is no need to perform a throat culture in children in this age group.
Do not use antibiotics for children with sore throat, cough or runny nose. while bacterial infections are ignored should not be excluded. When should antibiotics be given in these cases?
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If the cough continues for 14 days and does not improve
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If there is no improvement in sinus infections despite supportive treatment
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If the patient has fever, runny nose and headache,
In this case, antibiotics should be started.
Situations in which antibiotics should be started without hesitation
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Pneumonia caused by bacteria
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Whooping cough
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Throat infections caused by beta microbes.
Antibiotics save lives in bacterial infections.
Antibiotics are only effective in infections caused by bacteria.
Antibiotics have no place in the treatment of viral infections.
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