Antibiotics for children

Children don't often need antibiotics. Most childhood infections are caused by viruses. Antibiotics only treat illnesses caused by bacteria, not viruses.

If your child is prescribed antibiotics for a bacterial infection, they may seem better after two or three days. But it's important to always finish the whole course to make sure all the bacteria are killed off.

If you don't finish the whole course, the infection is more likely to come back. It also increases the risk of the bacteria becoming resistant to antibiotics.

Antibiotics work best if they are given at regular intervals. Giving them to your child at the same times each day may help you to remember.

Giving medicine to your child

Make sure you know how much and how often to give a medicine. Writing it in your child's Personal Child Health Record (PCHR, or red book)may help you remember.

Always read the label on the bottle, and stick to the recommended dose. If in doubt, check with your pharmacist, health visitor or GP.