Fever in Children

When Your Infant or Child Has a Fever

What is a normal temperature?

A normal temperature is about 98.6°F when taken orally (by mouth). Temperatures taken rectally (by rectum) usually run 1° higher than those taken orally. So a normal temperature is about 99.6°F when taken rectally. Many doctors define a fever as an oral temperature above 99.4°F or a rectal temperature above 100.4°F.

How should I take my child's temperature?

The most accurate way to take your child's temperature is orally or rectally with a digital thermometer. In a child younger than about 4 years, take the temperature rectally. In an older child, take it orally.

- Mercury thermometers should not be used. Mercury is an environmental toxin, and you don't want to risk exposing your family to it. If you have a mercury thermometer at home, you should remove it and use a digital thermometer.
- Don't bundle your baby or child up too tightly before taking his or her temperature.
- Never leave your child alone while taking his or her temperature.
- Be sure you use the right thermometer. Read the package instructions to see if you have an oral  or rectal thermometer.
- If you're taking your child's temperature rectally, coat the tip of the thermometer with petroleum jelly (brand name: Vaseline) and insert it half an inch into the rectum. Hold the thermometer still and do not let go. When the thermometer beeps, remove it and check the digital reading.
- If you're taking your child's temperature orally, place the end of the thermometer under the tongue and leave it there until the thermometer beeps. Remove the thermometer and check the digital reading.
- After you're done using the thermometer, wash it in cool, soapy water.

When should I try to lower my child's fever?

Fevers are a sign that the body is fighting an infection, so you may want to avoid giving medicine if your child is running a low-grade (up to 100.2°F) fever. The main reason to treat your child is to make him or her feel better. When your child is achy and fussy or his of her temperature is above 100.2°F, you may want to give him or her some medicine.


What kind of medicine and how much is needed to lower a fever?
Acetaminophen (one brand name: Children's or Infants' Tylenol) relieves pain and lowers fever. How much acetaminophen your child may need depends on his or her weight and age. Check the package label or ask your doctor about the correct dosage for your child.

Talk to your doctor before giving ibuprofen (brand names: Children's Advil, Children's Motrin) to your child. Your doctor will tell you the correct dose for your child.


Tips on giving medicine

- Don't give more than 5 doses in 1 day.
- Don't give a baby younger than 3 months old medicine unless your family doctor tells you to.
- Read labels carefully. Make sure you are giving your child the right amount of medicine.
- If using drops, fill the dropper to the line.
- For liquid elixir, use a liquid measuring device to make sure you give the right dose. Get one at your drug store or ask your pharmacist.

Why not use aspirin to lower my child's fever?
In rare cases aspirin can cause Reye's syndrome in children. Reye's syndrome is a serious illness that can lead to death. Doctors recommend that parents avoid giving aspirin to children under 18 years of age.


Are there other ways to help my child feel better?

- Give your child plenty of fluids to drink to prevent dehydration (not enough fluid in the body) and help the body cool itself.
- Make sure your child gets plenty of rest.
- Keep the room temperature at about 70°F to 74°F.
- Dress your child in light cotton pajamas so that body heat can escape.
- If your child is chilled, put on an extra blanket but remove it when the chills stop.

Will a bath help lower my child's fever?
Used together, acetaminophen and a lukewarm bath may help lower a fever. Give the acetaminophen before the bath. If the bath is given alone, your child may start shivering as his or her body tries to raise its temperature again. This may make your child feel worse. Don't use alcohol or cold water for baths.


When should I call the doctor?
If your child has any of the warning signs listed in the box below, call your family doctor.

Less than 3 months old. Call your doctor right away if your baby's temperature goes over 100.4°F rectally, even if he or she doesn't seem sick. Babies this young can get very sick very quickly.

Three to 6 months old. Call your doctor if your baby has a temperature of 101°F or higher (even if your baby doesn't seem sick).

Six months and older. If your child has a fever of 102°F, watch how he or she acts. Call your doctor if the fever rises or lasts for more than 3 days. In children 3 months to 2 years of age, if the temperature is 103°F, call your doctor even if your child seems to feel fine.

Call your doctor if your baby or child has any of these warning signs

- Constant vomiting or diarrhea
- Dry mouth
- Earache or pulling at ears
- Fever comes and goes over several days
- High-pitched crying
- Irritable
- Not hungry
- Pale
- Seizures
- Severe headache
- Skin rash
- Sore or swollen joints
- Sore throat
- Stiff neck
- Stomach pain
- Swelling of the soft spot on the head
- Unresponsive or limp
- Wheezing or problems breathing
- Whimpering

Polio Vaccine

What is polio?

Poliomyelitis (polio, for short) is caused by a virus. The virus can be spread by drinking water with the polio virus in it. It can also be passed by close contact, such as kissing, with an infected person. Polio is a serious illness. It can cause paralysis (when you can't move your arms and legs) or even death. Before the first polio vaccine was developed in the 1950s, thousands of children got polio every year. Fortunately, the use of the polio vaccine has made the disease very rare in most parts of the world.

How can polio be prevented?

You can keep your children from getting polio by making sure they get the polio vaccine.

What is the polio vaccine?


A vaccine is used to protect you from getting a disease. The polio vaccine, also called IPV, is given by injection (a "shot"). (It used to be given by drops in the mouth.)

When should my child be vaccinated?

Most children get 4 doses of polio vaccine on this schedule:

- First dose when they are 2 months old.
- Second dose when they are 4 months old.
- Third dose when they are 6 to 18 months old.
- Last dose when they are 4 to 6 years old.

Are there reasons not to get polio shots?

Your child should not get the polio shots if he or she is allergic to these medicines: neomycin, streptomycin or polymyxin B.

What are the risks of the vaccine?

Most people have no problems. Some people will have some pain or redness where the shot was given. Vaccines carry a small risk of serious harm, such as a severe allergic reaction.

IPV can't cause polio.

What if my child has a reaction to the vaccine?

If your child has any reaction after getting the polio vaccine, call your doctor as soon as possible. In addition, if your child gets hives (swelling, itching and a burning sensation of the skin), has problems breathing, or goes into shock (becomes weak, faint, cold, clammy and sweaty), call 911 or take your child to a hospital emergency room. Be sure to tell the doctors caring for your child the day and time your child received the vaccine

Hepatitis C

What is hepatitis?

Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver. Inflammation causes soreness and swelling. Hepatitis can be caused by many things. Lack of blood supply to the liver, poison, autoimmune disorders, an injury to the liver, and taking some medicines can cause hepatitis. However, hepatitis is most commonly caused by a virus.

There are 2 main kinds of hepatitis, acute hepatitis and chronic hepatitis. When a person has hepatitis, the liver may become inflamed very suddenly. This is called acute hepatitis. If you have acute hepatitis, you might have nausea, vomiting, fever and body aches. Or you may not have any symptoms. Most people get over the acute inflammation in a few days or a few weeks. Sometimes, however, the inflammation doesn't go away. When the inflammation doesn't go away, the person has chronic hepatitis.

How does hepatitis affect the liver?

The liver breaks down waste products in your blood. When the liver is inflamed, it doesn't do a good job of getting rid of waste products. One waste product in the blood, called bilirubin (say "billy-roo-bin"), begins to build up in the blood and tissues when the liver isn't working right. The bilirubin makes the skin of a person with hepatitis turn a yellow-orange color. This is called jaundice (say "john-dis"). Bilirubin and other waste products may also cause itching, nausea, fever and body aches.

What is hepatitis C?

There are 3 viruses that cause hepatitis. Each hepatitis virus is named with a letter of the alphabet: hepatitis A, hepatitis B and hepatitis C. Hepatitis C is usually spread through contact with blood products, like accidentally being stuck with a dirty (used) needle, using IV drugs and sharing needles, or getting a blood transfusion before 1992. Most people don't feel sick when they are first infected with hepatitis C. Instead, the virus stays in their liver and causes chronic liver inflammation.

Most people who are infected with hepatitis C don't have any symptoms for years. However, hepatitis C is a chronic illness (it doesn't go away). If you have hepatitis C, you need to be watched carefully by a doctor because it can lead to cirrhosis (a liver disease) and liver cancer.

I've never used IV drugs or been stuck with a dirty needle. How did I get hepatitis C?
Hepatitis C is usually spread through direct contact with the blood of a person who has the disease. Many times, the cause of hepatitis C is never found. Sharing razors or toothbrushes can transmit the hepatitis C virus. It can be transmitted by needles used for tattooing or body piercing. It can even be passed from a mother to her unborn baby. This virus can be transmitted through sex, but this is rare. All of these ways of catching hepatitis C are uncommon, but they do occur.

Hepatitis C can't be spread unless a person has direct contact with infected blood. This means a person who has hepatitis C can't pass the virus to others through casual contact such as sneezing, coughing, shaking hands, hugging, kissing, sharing eating utensils or drinking glasses, swimming in a pool, using public toilets or touching doorknobs.

Could I give hepatitis C to someone else?

Yes, as far as we know, once you have hepatitis C, you can always give it to someone else. If you have hepatitis C, you can't donate blood. You should avoid sharing personal items like razors and toothbrushes. Always use a condom when you have sex. If you have hepatitis C, your sex partners should be tested to see if they also have it.

Talk to your doctor first if you want to have children. The virus isn't spread easily by sexual contact or from a mother to her unborn baby. If you're trying to have a baby, don't have sex during the menstrual cycle, because the hepatitis C virus spreads more easily in menstrual blood.

How should I take care of myself if I have hepatitis C?

You should eat a healthy diet and start exercising regularly. A dietitian can help you plan a diet that is healthy and practical. Talk to your doctor about medications that you are taking, including over-the-counter medications. Many medicines, including acetaminophen (brand name: Tylenol) are broken down by the liver and may increase the speed of liver damage. It is very important that you drink only a minimal amount of alcohol. An occasional alcoholic drink is probably OK, but check with your doctor first.

Is there a vaccine for hepatitis C?

No, not for hepatitis C. There are vaccines for hepatitis A and hepatitis B. If you have hepatitis C, your doctor may want you to take the vaccine for hepatitis B (and maybe the vaccine for hepatitis A), if you don't already have these viruses. If you have hepatitis C, you are more likely to catch hepatitis A or hepatitis B, and that would cause more damage to your liver.

Is there a treatment for hepatitis C?

Good health habits are essential for those who have hepatitis C, especially avoidance of alcohol and other medications and drugs that can harm the liver. Although there is not yet a proven cure for hepatitis C, some people benefit from drug treatment. You should discuss treatment with a doctor if you have hepatitis C. Standard medicines available include the following:

- peginterferon alfa-2b (brand name: PEG-Intron)
- peginterferon alfa-2a (brand name: Pegasys)

These medicines are given as a weekly shot. You may or may not need to use a ribavirin supplement in pill form (some brand names: Copegus, Rebetol, Virazole) along with interferon.

Other medicines available to treat hepatitis C include the following:

- interferon alfa-2a (brand name:Roferon-A)
- interferon alfa-2b (brand name: Intron A)
- interferon alfacon-1 (brand name: Infergen)
- interferon alfa-2b plus ribavirin (brand name: Rebetron)

These medicines are given as a shot every day, every other day or 3 times a week, for several months or longer. The length of treatment depends on how severe the infection is. Carefully following your doctor's advice and sticking with your treatment plan will reduce your risk of further liver damage.

What should I know about interferon?

Before you can start taking interferon, you will have a liver biopsy. A tiny bit of your liver will be taken out in a surgical operation. The doctor will check this sample of your liver to see how much damage there is. Younger patients with mild liver disease and fewer virus particles in the liver have a better response to interferon.

Interferon is expensive. It costs about $6,000 a year. You should check with your health insurance provider to see if your medical insurance will cover the cost.

What side effects will I have?

Side effects of interferon therapy may include the following:

- Weight loss
- Trouble sleeping
- Chest pain
- Nausea/vomiting
- Fever and body aches
- Extreme tiredness
- Irritability
- Depression

Side effects of ribavirin supplements may include the following:

- Decrease in red blood cells (anemia)
- Skin rashes/itching
- Worsening of heart/circulatory problems
- Extreme tiredness

Side effects are usually worst during the first few weeks of treatment and become less severe over time. If you are having trouble dealing with the side effects of your medicine, talk to your doctor. He or she can suggest ways to relieve some of the side effects. For example, if your medicine makes you feel nauseated, it may help to take it right before you go to sleep.

If taking medicine to treat hepatitis C makes you feel worse than the actual disease does, you may be tempted to stop taking your medicine before your treatment is done. However, if you don't prevent chronic inflammation from damaging your liver, you'll be much sicker in the long run. Don't stop taking your medicine until your doctor tells you to.

Do I have to take interferon?

The choice is up to you and your doctor. Some people with hepatitis C don't have any symptoms. They only have a little inflammation of their liver. If you have hepatitis C but no symptoms, your doctor will want to keep a close watch on you. This is done by checking your blood at least once a year, and maybe 3 times a year. Your doctor will check the level of 2 enzymes that are made in your liver. Your doctor might decide to give you medicine for hepatitis C only if these enzymes reach a certain level.

The decision to use interferon therapy can be hard to make because of the expense and the side effects. Your doctor will pay attention to the type of the virus and the amount of the virus in your body. Your overall health and the results of your blood tests and the liver biopsy are also important to know about before your doctor gives you interferon treatment.

How will I know if my treatment works?

The goal of treatment is to reduce the amount of the hepatitis C virus in your blood to levels that can't be detected after 24 weeks of therapy. The amount of the virus in your blood is called your viral load. At the end of your treatment, your doctor will need to measure your viral load and find out how healthy your liver is. He or she may repeat many of the same tests that were done when you were first diagnosed with hepatitis C.

If your blood has so few copies of the virus that tests can't measure them, the virus is said to be undetectable. If it stays undetectable for at least 6 months after your treatment is finished, you have what is called a sustained virologic response (SVR). People who have an SVR have a good chance of avoiding serious liver problems in the future.

If treatment doesn't reduce your viral load, or if you don't have an SVR after treatment, your doctor will discuss other treatment options with you. For example, if you have been treated with interferon alone, you will probably be treated with interferon plus ribavirin. Even if treatment doesn't keep you from having active liver disease, lowering your viral load and controlling chronic liver inflammation may help you feel better for a longer time.

How can I cope with my feelings about having hepatitis C?

Coping with hepatitis C isn't easy. You may feel sad, scared or angry, or you may not believe you have the disease. These feelings are normal, but they shouldn't keep you from living your daily life. If they do—or if they last a long time—you may be suffering from depression. People who are depressed have most or all of the following symptoms nearly every day, all day, for 2 or more weeks:

- Feeling sad or crying often (depressed mood)
- Losing interest in daily activities that used to be fun
- Changes in appetite and weight
- Sleeping too much or having trouble sleeping
- Feeling agitated, cranky or sluggish
- Loss of energy
- Feeling very guilty or worthless
- Problems concentrating or making decisions
- Thoughts of death or suicide

Talk to your doctor if you notice any of these symptoms. Your doctor can help by recommending a support group or a therapist, and/or by prescribing a medicine for you to take.

Hepatitis B

What is hepatitis B?

Hepatitis B is a liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus. Chronic hepatitis B is a long-term infection of the liver that can sometimes develop after a bout of acute, or short term, hepatitis B.

How does a person get hepatitis B?

The virus that causes hepatitis B is spread through contact with infected blood or other body fluids of people who have hepatitis B. For example, you can get hepatitis B by having unprotected sex with an infected person.

People who use intravenous drugs can get hepatitis B when they share needles with someone who has the virus. Health care workers, such as nurses, lab technicians and doctors, can get these infections if they are accidentally stuck with a needle that was used on an infected patient.

Pregnant women who are infected with hepatitis B can also pass the virus on to their babies.

Hepatitis B cannot be transmitted through casual contact. For example, you cannot get hepatitis B by hugging or shaking hands with someone who is infected.

What are the symptoms of acute hepatitis B?

Symptoms of hepatitis B:

• nausea
  
• vomiting
  
• loss of appetite
  
• abdominal pain
  
• jaundice (the skin turns yellow)
  
• weakness
  
• fatigue
  
• brown urine (may look like tea)
  

Symptoms of hepatitis B can range from mild to severe. If you have a mild case of hepatitis, you may not even realize that you have it. It may not cause symptoms or may only cause symptoms similar to the stomach flu.

What is the difference between acute and chronic hepatitis B?

When you are having symptoms for the first time, this is called acute hepatitis. Acute hepatitis lasts 6 weeks or less. Most people recover from the infection and have no long-lasting problems.

Hepatitis B can become an illness that lasts a long time. This is called chronic hepatitis B. It lasts six months or longer. Chronic hepatitis occurs when the liver has been damaged from the acute illness and can't recover. Chronic hepatitis develops in 10% to 20% of people who have hepatitis B.

What are the complications of chronic hepatitis B?

People with chronic hepatitis B may not have any symptoms at all. In some people, chronic hepatitis can lead to cirrhosis of the liver. Cirrhosis occurs when the liver cells die and are replaced by scar tissue and fat. The damaged areas of the liver stop working and can't cleanse the body of wastes. The early stages of cirrhosis may not have symptoms, but the following symptoms may arise as cirrhosis gets worse and more of the liver is damaged:

• weight loss
  
• fatigue
  
• jaundice
  
• nausea
  
• vomiting
  
• loss of appetite
  
• Cirrhosis can lead to liver failure and even liver cancer.
  

If you have hepatitis B, you are also susceptible to hepatitis D (also called "Delta agent). Hepatitis D can only develop in people who already have hepatitis B. It can make your symptoms of hepatitis B or liver disease worse. It is spread through contact with infected blood or other body fluids of people who have hepatitis D.

How long does it take chronic hepatitis to develop after acute hepatitis B?

The time between the acute illness and signs of chronic hepatitis B varies. It may take a short time, or it may be years after the acute infection before chronic hepatitis B develops.

How is hepatitis B diagnosed?

Blood tests are used to diagnose hepatitis B. Blood tests can tell your doctor whether your liver is working properly, and they can also be used to follow your condition during treatment.

Your doctor may want to look at your liver with an ultrasound exam or x-rays. A liver biopsy may also be needed. With a liver biopsy, a small piece of the liver is removed through a needle and looked at under a microscope. A liver biopsy can help your doctor diagnose your illness and see the condition of your liver directly.

How is chronic hepatitis B treated?

If you have chronic hepatitis B, your family physician will probably refer you to a gastroenterologist or other subspecialist that treats people with chronic liver problems. There are a number of medical treatments available that are often successful. These include Interferon alfa-2b and other antiviral medicines. Treatment may take a year or more, depending on the severity of the infection and the response to treatment.

Can hepatitis B be prevented?

The best way to prevent hepatitis B is to have protected sex (use a condom) and to avoid sharing needles.

A vaccine is available to prevent hepatitis B. It is now routinely given in the first year of life to all newborn infants. It is safe and requires 3 shots over a 6-month period. This vaccine should be given to people who are at high risk for this illness, such as health care workers, all children, drug users, people who get tattoos or body piercing, and those with multiple sex partners.

Hepatitis A

What is hepatitis A?

Hepatitis A is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis A virus. (Several types of hepatitis viruses can infect the liver. Each is named with a letter of the alphabet. There are 3 main types: hepatitis A, hepatitis B and hepatitis C.)

Hepatitis A causes inflammation of the liver, which leads to soreness and swelling.

How does hepatitis affect the liver?

The liver breaks down waste products in your blood. When the liver is inflamed, it doesn't do a good job of getting rid of waste products. One waste product in the blood, called bilirubin (say "billy-roo-bin"), begins to build up in the blood and tissues when you have hepatitis. The bilirubin can make the skin and/or whites of the eyes of a person with hepatitis turn a yellowish color. This is called jaundice (say "john-dis").

How is hepatitis A spread?

Hepatitis A is spread through feces. You can get infected through close contact with an infected person (for example, changing a diaper or having sexual contact), even if that person does not have any symptoms. In fact, hepatitis A is most contagious before symptoms appear. You can also get infected by eating contaminated food or drinking contaminated water. The virus can live on hands, in water and in soil. Hepatitis A is common in developing countries.

What are the symptoms of hepatitis A?

Typically, you will have the virus for one month before symptoms appear.

When symptoms do appear, they usually com on suddenly and include:

• NauseaVomiting
  
• Jaundice (The yellowing of the skin the whites of the eyes)
  
• Low-grade fever (up to 101 F)
  
• Fatigue
  
• Pain in your abdomen, especially on your right side
  
• Dark-colored urine
  
• Loss of appetite
  
• Muscle pain
  

It is important to remember that some people who have the hepatitis A never develop any symptoms.

Young children are also likely to have very mild cases of hepatitis A.

See your doctor is you have any of these symptoms. He or she can do a blood test to see if you have hepatitis A.

How is hepatitis A treated?

There is no medication to treat or cure hepatitis A. If you have the virus, you should get plenty of rest, eat a balanced diet and avoid alcohol and acetaminophen (one brand: Tylenol).

Talk with your doctor about any other over-the-counter medications you are taking, as they may need to be changed or stopped while you have hepatitis A.

You may need to stay in the hospital for a short time if you get dehydrated, have severe pain, suddenly become confused develop bleeding problems.

How long will I be contagious?

You are most contagious soon after you are infected and before symptoms appear. Adults who are otherwise healthy are no longer contagious 2 weeks after the illness begins. Children and people with weak immune systems may be contagious for up to 6 months.

How can I keep from getting hepatitis A?

Ask your doctor about the hepatitis A vaccine. The shot is safe for anyone over 2 years of age and can provide protection for up to 20 years.

Wash your hands with soap and warm water before and after cooking, after using the bathroom and after changing diapers.

Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly before eating and avoid raw or undercooked meat and fish.

If you come into contact with someone who has hepatitis A and you have never had the virus or the vaccine, you should see your doctor right away. He or she can give you a shot that will help keep you from getting sick.

Antibiotic Resistance

What are antibiotics?

Antibiotics are medicines that fight (or prevent) infections caused by bacteria. Antibiotics cannot fight infections caused by viruses (which include most colds and the flu).


What is antibiotic resistance?

Because antibiotics are used a lot, and sometimes are used inappropriately, antibiotic resistance is becoming a common problem in many parts of the United States. It occurs when bacteria in your body change so that antibiotics don't work effectively to fight them anymore. This can happen when bacteria are repeatedly exposed to the same antibiotics or when bacteria are left in your body after you have been taking an antibiotic (such as when someone does not take the full course of their antibiotic medicine). These bacteria can multiply and become strong enough to resist the antibiotic in the future.


Why should I worry about antibiotic resistance?

If you take antibiotics that cannot fight the bacteria they are supposed to kill, your infection can last longer. Instead of getting better, your infection might get worse. You might have to make several visits to your doctor's office. You might have to take different medicines or go to a hospital to get stronger antibiotics given intravenously (as an IV needle into your vein).

At the same time, your family members or other people you come into contact with may catch the resistant bacteria that you have. Then these people might also get infections that are hard to treat.

Every time you take antibiotics when you don't need them or you do not take all of the antibiotics recommended by your doctor, you increase the chance that you will someday get an illness that is caused by resistant bacteria.


When are antibiotics not needed?

Antibiotics are not needed for (and won't work against) viral infections such as a cold, the flu (influenza) or mono (mononucleosis).

You should not ask your doctor to give you or your children antibiotics for a viral illness. Instead, ask your doctor what you can do to feel better and ease your symptoms while your body fights the infection.


When is it okay for me to take antibiotics?

Antibiotics help treat illnesses that are caused by bacteria. These illnesses include infections such as strep throat and urinary tract infections.


How should I take the antibiotics that my doctor prescribes?

Follow your doctor's directions carefully. Take all the antibiotic medicine that your doctor gives you. Don't save some of the medicine for the next time you're sick. If you skip even 1 or 2 pills, some bacteria might be left in your body and resist future antibiotic treatment.


What else can I do to reduce the risk of antibiotic resistance?

Wash your hands with soap and water before you eat and after you use the bathroom. Regular hand washing will help keep you healthy and reduce the need for antibiotics.

Ask your doctor if you have all the vaccinations you need to protect yourself from illness.

Antibiotics

What are antibiotics?

Antibiotics are strong medicines used for treating infections, including life-threatening infectious diseases. But antibiotics can cause more harm than good when they aren't used the right way. You can protect yourself and your family by knowing when you should use antibiotics and when you should not.

Do antibiotics work against all infections?


No. Antibiotics only work against infections caused by bacteria, fungus and by certain parasites. They don't work against any infections caused by viruses. Viruses cause colds, the flu and most coughs and sore throats.

What is "bacterial resistance"?

Usually antibiotics kill bacteria or stop them from growing. However, some bacteria have become resistant to specific antibiotics. This means that the antibiotics no longer work against them. Bacteria become resistant more quickly when antibiotics are used too often or are not used correctly (such as not taking a full course of antibiotics as prescribed by your doctor).

Resistant bacteria sometimes can be treated with different antibiotics to which the bacteria have not yet become resistant. These medicines may have to be given intravenously (through a vein) in a hospital. A few kinds of resistant bacteria are untreatable.

What can I do to help myself and my family?

Do not expect antibiotics to cure every illness. Do not take antibiotics for viral illnesses, such as for colds or the flu. Often, the best thing you can do is let colds and the flu run their course and only ease your symptoms. Sometimes this can take 2 weeks or more. If your illness gets worse after 2 weeks, talk to your doctor. He or she can also give you advice on what you can do to ease your symptoms while your body fights off the virus.

How do I know when I need antibiotics?


The answer depends on what is causing your infection. The following are some basic guidelines:

Colds and flu. Viruses cause these illnesses. They can't be cured with antibiotics.

Cough or bronchitis. Viruses almost always cause these. However, if you have a problem with your lungs or an illness that lasts a long time, bacteria may actually be the cause. Your doctor may decide to try using an antibiotic.

Sore throat. Most sore throats are caused by viruses and don't need antibiotics. However, strep throat is caused by bacteria. Your doctor can determine if you have strep throat and can prescribe an antibiotic.

Ear infections. There are several types of ear infections. Antibiotics are used for some (but not all) ear infections.

Sinus infections. Antibiotics are often used to treat sinus infections. However, a runny nose and yellow or green mucus do not necessarily mean you need an antibiotic.

What else do I need to know?

If your doctor does prescribe an antibiotic for you, make sure you take all of the medicine, even if you feel better after a few days. This reduces the chance that there will be any bacteria left in your body that could potentially become resistant to antibiotics.

You can also prevent catching infections by practicing good hygiene. Wash your hands with soap and water, especially after using the restroom, coming into contact with feces (for example, from a pet or from changing a baby's diaper), after using the bathroom and before eating.