The Centers For Disease Control And Prevention (CDC) program, Be Antibiotics Aware, is a national effort to help fight antibiotic resistance and improve antibiotic prescribing and use.
Antibiotics save lives but the CDC warns us that any time antibiotics are used, they can cause side effects and can lead to antibiotic resistance. At least 80 million antibiotic prescriptions each year are unnecessary, which makes improving antibiotic prescribing and use a national priority.
Antibiotics treat only bacterial infections; they don’t work on viruses like the ones that cause colds or the flu. When antibiotics aren’t needed, they won’t make patients feel better, and side effects could be harmful. Healthcare providers can prevent infections and slow the spread of antibiotic resistance by advising patients to cover coughs, clean hands, stay home when sick, and get recommended vaccines.
The CDC cautions us, “While antibiotics cannot treat infections caused by viruses, there are still a number of things you or your child can do to relieve some symptoms and feel better while a viral illness runs its course. Over-the-counter medicines may also help relieve some symptoms.”
They offer these suggestions on how to feel better against a virus.
General Advice
For upper respiratory infections, such as sore throats, ear infections, sinus infections, colds, and bronchitis, try the following:
- Get plenty of rest
- Drink plenty of fluids
- Use a clean humidifier or cool mist vaporizer
- Avoid smoking, secondhand smoke, and other pollutants (airborne chemicals or irritants)
- Take acetaminophen, ibuprofen or naproxen to relieve pain or fever (read about what is safe to give your child)
- Use saline nasal spray or drops
Sore Throat
Try the following tips if you or your child has a sore throat:
- Soothe a sore throat with ice chips, sore throat spray, popsicles, or lozenges (do not give lozenges to young children)
- Use a clean humidifier or cool mist vaporizer
- Gargle with salt water
- Drink warm beverages
- Take acetaminophen, ibuprofen or naproxen to relieve pain or fever (read about what is safe to give your child)
Ear Pain
The following tips can be used to help ease the pain from earaches:
- Put a warm moist cloth over the ear that hurts
- Take acetaminophen, ibuprofen or naproxen to relieve pain or fever (read about what is safe to give your child)
Runny Nose
Stop a runny nose in its tracks by trying the following tips:
- Get plenty of rest
- Increase fluid intake
- Use a decongestant or saline nasal spray to help relieve nasal symptoms (read about what is safe to give your child)
Sinus Pain/Pressure
Try the following tips to help with sinus pain and pressure:
- Put a warm compress over the nose and forehead to help relieve sinus pressure
- Use a decongestant or saline nasal spray
- Breathe in steam from a bowl of hot water or shower
- Take acetaminophen, ibuprofen or naproxen to relieve pain or fever (read about what is safe to give your child)
Cough
The following tips can be used to help with coughing:
- Use a clean humidifier or cool mist vaporizer
- Breathe in steam from a bowl of hot water or shower
- Use non-medicated lozenges (do not give lozenges to young children)
- Use honey if your child is at least 1 year old (read about what is safe to give your child)
Over-the-Counter Medicines
For children and adults, over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers, decongestants and saline nasal sprays may help relieve some symptoms, such as runny nose, congestion, fever, and aches, but they do not shorten the length of time you or your child is sick. Remember to always use OTC products as directed. Not all products are recommended for children of certain ages.
More information is available about pain relievers, decongestants, nasal wash treatment, and humidifiers.
Pain Relievers for Children
For babies 6 months of age or younger, parents should only give acetaminophen for pain relief. For a child 6 months of age or older, either acetaminophen or ibuprofen can be given for pain relief. Be sure to ask your child’s healthcare professional for the right dosage for your child’s age and size. Do not give aspirin to your child because of Reye’s syndrome, a rare but very serious illness that harms the liver and brain. Learn more about Reye’s syndrome
Cough and Cold Medicines for Children Younger than 4 Years of Age
Do not use cough and cold products in children younger than 4 years of age unless specifically told to do so by a healthcare professional. Overuse and misuse of OTC cough and cold medicines in young children can result in serious and potentially life-threatening side effects. Instead, parents can clear nasal congestion (snot) in infants with a rubber suction bulb. A stuff nose can also be relieved with saline nose drops or a clean humidifier or cool-mist vaporizer.
Cough and Cold Medicines for Children Older than 4 Years of Age
OTC cough and cold medicines may give your child some temporary relief of symptoms even though they will not cure your child’s illness. Parents should talk with their child’s healthcare professional if they have any concerns or questions about giving their child an OTC medication. Parents should always tell their child’s healthcare professional about all prescription and OTC medicines they are giving their child.
