Antibiotics Work-Childrenâ??s Health

Both bacteria and viruses cause diseases. Bacteria are the living, one celled organisms, and thus antibiotics kill them by stopping their growth and reproduction in our body. Viruses are different: They are not considered "alive" and grow and reproduce only after they've invaded the other living cells. While the body's immune system can fight off some of the viruses, antibiotics are ineffective against them. Cold, sore throats, cough, fever and many other ear infections are caused by the viruses and should not be treated with the antibiotics. But sometimes those symptoms may be a part of a more serious condition. For example, pneumonia, whooping cough, urinary tract infections, sinus infections or a strep throat may have symptoms that mimic those caused by the viruses but are caused by the bacteria and can effectively be treated with the antibiotics. In addition, some children may have conditions that makes it harder to heal and recover, in which case the antibiotics may be prescribed. Those conditions involves cleft palate, down syndrome and some immune disorders and having a cochlear in implant.

Author(s): Devanshika Patel

Abstract | PDF

Share This Article