Does your child need antibiotics?

Statistics show that GPs are prescribing far fewer antibiotics than they used to. Over the past decade, the number of antibiotic prescriptions for children with earache, sore throats and coughs has roughly halved.

Despite this, the number of children who develop middle ear infections or tonsil abscesses as a result of withholding treatment has remained the same.

It goes to show that today’s approach to antibiotics means children are less likely to take medicines they don’t need. Overuse of antibiotics is also a bad idea because it can lead to the development of antibiotic-resistant superbugs such as MRSA.

Prima Baby’s Dr Rob Hicks says, ‘Antibiotics are important in the fight against bacterial infection. However, many common infections – earache, sore throats, coughs and colds – are caused by viruses, which antibiotics can’t cure.

'It’s important to remember that if a doctor says that antibiotics aren’t needed, she’s not trying to be difficult or save cash, she genuinely believes they won’t help.’

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