Many parents consider antibiotics almost a panacea, others are afraid like hell. They are produced under beautiful names, in bright packages, and widely advertised. But what diseases do you really need to drink antibiotics for and should you give them to children?
Definition
What is a children's antibiotic? In fact, he is no different from an adult. Antibiotics are natural or synthetic substances capable of suppressing the vital activity of bacteria and a number of fungi. In fact, they can be called antiseptics that can work not only outside, but also inside the body.
The discovery by scientists of antibiotics has become a real breakthrough in medical science, because it is the only effective treatment for many serious and even fatal diseases, such as anthrax or tuberculosis. They are widely used in severe wounds and injuries, they began to be prescribed to patients as a prophylaxis and suppression of postoperative inflammation and purulent processes. Now there are many types of antibiotics, including the so-called children'sbroad-spectrum antibiotics, which are prescribed by doctors when the diagnosis cannot be made with certainty.
A child is a small adult?
Many people believe that if a child weighs, say, twenty kilograms, then he can take "adult" medicine at a dosage of 1/3 of the usual "adult" dose, which is calculated for a person weighing about seventy kilograms. And this seems logical, because the pediatrician also uses the weight indicator when calculating the dose of a children's antibiotic. However, a child is not a small copy of an adult. In children, the metabolism, metabolism, and enzymes are produced according to a different algorithm in a different way. And medical educational institutions do not just graduate pediatricians - doctors who deal exclusively with child patients.
Here are just some of the parameters that affect the metabolism of drugs in children's bodies:
Immature liver enzyme system. It takes part in the breakdown of drugs, during which drugs are converted into active metabolides. Also, it is the liver that removes them from the body in a timely manner
Vulnerable kidneys. Drug processing products are also excreted in the urine, so it is the kidneys that are among the first to suffer from toxic drugs and chemicals
Increased metabolism. A fast metabolism affects both the course of the disease itself and the metabolism of drugs. For example, in the body of a newborn child, a water molecule lingers for up to five days, and inadult - up to fifteen. It is easy to calculate that the metabolic processes in the organisms of babies go 3-5 times faster, and this is an important factor when prescribing medicines by a doctor, especially if these are broad-spectrum antibiotics for children
More liquid. A person is 65% water, but at an early age this percentage is even higher. For example, a newborn is 75% water. This parameter greatly affects the distribution of the drug throughout the body, and the child is much more difficult to tolerate fluid loss. That is why for children during illness, drinking should be more plentiful than for adults
Many inexperienced mothers, having read on the Internet that there is no such division into adult and children's antibiotics, begin to treat children with the same medicines that they use for themselves, simply reducing the frequency and dose, but this is not enough. Yes, there really is no clear boundary between children's and adult antibiotic drugs. These groups are quite arbitrary, but the first always contains the highest quality, proven, "soft" drugs that do not lead to intoxication and are most suitable for young patients, taking into account their metabolism.
Types of antibiotics
Many inexperienced parents begin to resist even the opinion of doctors prescribing antibiotics. Some, on the contrary, self-medicate and give the child these drugs for any illness, be it a cough, runny nose or sore throat. However, the fact is that antibiotic drugs are designed to treat specific diseases, or rather, fight specific bacteria. Knowledge of the theoreticalpart will allow parents to approach the question of choosing good children's antibiotics from a scientific point of view and avoid common misconceptions:
- Spectrum of action - cocci. These are pathogens such as staphylococci, streptococci, meningococci and others, as well as clostridia and corynobacteria. This type includes first generation cephalosporins such as macrolides, benzylpenicillin, lincomycin and bicillin.
- Wide range. These antibiotics work especially well on gram-positive rods. These are the so-called second-generation cephalosporins, chloramphenicol, which is not advised to be given to newborns, tetracyclines, which are prohibited for children under eight years old, as well as aminoglycosides and semi-synthetic penicillins.
- Specialization "gram-negative rods". These are third-generation cephalosporins and polymyxins.
- Impact on fungi. These are diflucan, ketoconazole, levin, nystatin.
- Antituberculous. These are florimycin, rifampicin and streptomycin.
When do you really need antibiotics? As a rule, doctors prescribe children's antibiotics for angina, but only if it is caused by streptococcus. This is only one of four types of angina. Also an indication for taking antibiotics is acute purulent sinusitis or a chronic form in exacerbation, paratonsillitis, epiloglotitis, pneumonia and otitis media in children in the first six months of life. It turns out that the list of diseases is not so big, so why is it so common for parents to ask what kind of children's antibiotic is needed for coughing? After all, coughing is not enough reason toprescribing such a drug!
High temperature without other symptoms is also not a reason to treat a child with antibiotics, because they are not antipyretic drugs in themselves. However, there are two exceptions to this rule. If it is not possible to call an ambulance and see a doctor, it is impossible to examine the child, but you have to decide right now and on your own, then in these two cases it is necessary to use second or third generation cephalosporins.
- children under three years of age with a temperature above 39 degrees;
- children under three months old with a temperature above 38 degrees.
What if there is no such possibility? For example, there are no 24-hour pharmacies nearby and nowhere to buy the drug? Of course, you need to use antipyretic drugs, such as paracetamol. Most likely, in the presence of good immunity, the body will cope with the infection without the use of antibiotics, but the process will be lengthy. The disease is much more exhausting the child. No parent can claim that the child has good immunity, because now there are many unfavorable factors, such as ecology, malnutrition and heredity.
ORZ and SARS
Given the above, the question of whether a children's antibiotic is needed for coughs and runny noses becomes very clear. ARI and SARS are caused by viruses that antibiotics have no effect on! Yes, a bacterial infection can run in parallel with a viral one and manifest itself as other symptoms or as a complication. Judge availabilitysuch can be bacteriological analysis. Also, if after five to seven days the child's condition has not improved, this indicates the appearance of a bacterial infection.
Children's drops with an antibiotic in this case are not used, as well as antibiotic drugs in general, unless, of course, the course of the disease is standard, the symptoms are typical and there are no complications.
Determination of the nature of the infection
But how to determine the causative agent of the disease in a child? The easiest way to treat a disease of the respiratory organs, for example, a common cold, is a complete blood count. That is why the doctor always prescribes general tests at the first appointment. The results of deciphering the clinical analysis helps to organize the further treatment of the child. If the doctor immediately prescribes antibiotic drugs, without taking into account the results of the tests, ask them to do it or offer to do it themselves, at your own expense. However, there are several exceptions. For example, with angina, children's antibiotics are almost always prescribed even before the test results come in, since the bacteriological nature of the disease can be determined by the symptoms. Any doctor immediately sees the difference between the types of sore throats.
In addition to the complete blood count, the doctor may order other tests of the nature of the infection, such as taking swabs.
Admission rules
Parents should remember a few rules regarding antibiotic therapy in children.
Firstly, antibiotics should only be taken if the disease is bacterial. They are also effectiveagainst some fungi.
Secondly, at the doctor's appointment, be sure to tell if the child has taken antibiotics over the past three months, and if so, which ones.
Third, the form in which the children's antibiotic is taken. Suspension, tablets, syrup, but not injections. Injections are used only in severe cases of the course of the disease or if internal administration of the drug is not possible. This is also an indication for hospitalization!
Fourthly, do not abuse antipyretics while using antibiotics.
Reverse side
The "two camps" of parents who go to extremes have already been mentioned above. Those who are afraid of antibiotics like fire are partly right, because the best, most modern and pharmaceutically least toxic antibiotics can be harmful. The reason is that these compounds do not distinguish between "us" and "them", that is, natural and pathogenic flora, they simply destroy bacteria, including the microflora of the intestines and other mucous membranes. The balance of microflora in the body is disturbed, which can lead to problems with digestion, stool, etc. Also, taking antibiotics can cause thrush.
Another consequence of taking antibiotics is the growth of antibiotic resistance in bacteria. That is, the more often a child is treated with antibiotics, the greater the opportunity for various bacilli to develop immunity to drugs. Far-fetched, but very simple example: a neighbor's boy was treated with antibiotics. After sometime he got better, and his parents decided that he should not continue to take these harmful pills - the improvement has come! The surviving bacteria have developed immunity. Then this boy plays with your child and infects him with antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
The doctor prescribes antibiotic therapy, but it no longer works, because these bacilli are already resistant to even strong and good children's antibiotics, and this can greatly complicate treatment. There is the concept of "healed immunity", which is applied to children whose diseases do not respond even to strong drugs. That is why it is not necessary to use children's antibiotics for a runny nose, cough and typical colds that are treated with completely different drugs!
How to reduce harm?
Sometimes taking antibiotics is necessary, and although they are harmful, they are not as dangerous as they might seem. Yes, they negatively affect the natural microflora of the body, but it can be supported! Just use whatever means are available to you.
Breastfeed babies as much as possible, because mother's milk has a positive effect on the growth of the milk flora.
The work of the digestive glands can be supported by drugs such as Hilak Forte and Creon 10000.
Constantly "populate" beneficial microflora in the child's gastrointestinal tract. This will help drugs - "Lactobacterin", "Bifidumbacterin" and food - "Acidophyllin", "Bifidok". Of course, this is only possible if the baby is old enough and no longer breastfed.
After the course of treatment, provide your child with proper nutrition to restore the microflora of the digestive system as quickly as possible. Be sure to include a variety of dairy products in your diet. If you don’t trust purchased products, cook homemade yogurt, kefir and yogurt yourself - it’s not difficult, and you can find recipes on the Internet or ask grandmothers.
During treatment and for the first time after it, include in the child's diet more fortified foods, fresh vegetables and fruits, fresh juices and decoctions. Doctors do not recommend taking synthetic vitamins in parallel with taking antibiotics, as this can neutralize the effect of the medicine or cause an allergic reaction. For children with allergies, doctors even prescribe anti-allergic drugs.
Drug list
Now you know the theoretical part and will be able to competently approach the choice of antibiotics. Of course, it is best to see a doctor, but this is not always possible, so every competent parent should know the names of children's antibiotics:
"Amoxicillin". Most often, doctors prescribe to children this particular drug from the penicillin group. It has a fairly wide spectrum of action. It is used for pneumonia, bacterial tonsillitis, sinusitis and pharyngitis, otitis media, urethritis and cystitis. It is quite cheap, the average price in the country is about one hundred and fifty rubles. In granules, it is convenient for making syrup orsuspensions. Children's antibiotic in this case should be diluted with boiled water
"Augmentin". Many people know this name of a children's antibiotic, mainly due to advertising. This is a combination of amoxicillin and clavulanic acid, suitable for the preparation of a suspension. Clavulanic acid expands the spectrum of action of the drug. Indications are similar to amoxicillin, but it is not used for children under three months of age. The drug may cause allergies. The cost is from 150 to 250 and depends on the dosage
"Amoxiclav". Analogue of "Augmentin"
"Zinacef". It belongs to the second generation cephalosporins. The spectrum of action is wide. It is prescribed by doctors for pneumonia, frontal sinusitis, sinusitis, cititis, tonsillitis and otitis media. Suitable for injection only! Dosage for children - per day from 30 to 100 mg per 1 kg of weight. The cost is about 130 rubles
"Zinnat". Also a second-generation cephalosporin. Convenient for preparing a suspension
"Sumamed". Belongs to the type of azalides. Azithromycin (active ingredient) has a wide spectrum of action. It is used for sinusitis, pharyngitis, otitis media, tonsillitis and pneumonia. For children under six months - contraindicated! Price: RUB 230
"Supraks". It is an antibiotic cifixime, belonging to the third generation cephalosporins. It is used in the treatment of infections of the upper respiratory tract, otitis media, infections of the genitourinary system, bronchitis. Contraindicated in children under six months. Price: RUB 500
"Flemoxin Solutab". Currentsubstance - already known to us amoxicillin. This antibiotic is most often used to treat infections of the gastrointestinal tract. Another name for this children's antibiotic is Flemoxin Solutab. Price: RUB 250
"Ceftriaxone". Third generation cephalosporin. It is intended for intramuscular and intravenous injections. Premature and newborn babies with jaundice are contraindicated. Price: 20 rub. per ampoule
"Bioparox". They are used to treat ENT infections, but do not replace the main course. These drugs can be used as prescribed by a doctor in parallel with the main course, but in no case should it replace it. Check with your doctor before using them on a child
"Isofra". Antibiotic nose drops. They are used as prescribed by a doctor, however, as a rule, in parallel with the general course. Here are other names for children's nose drops with an antibiotic: Rinil, Framinazin, Polydex
Is a good review important?
Why is a good review of any antibiotic not a reason to immediately treat a child with it? The fact is that everyone has their own situation.
So, "Sumamed" is considered a good antibiotic for children, because it is able to accumulate in tissues, and due to this, the duration of treatment can be reduced. But if, for example, the drug is prescribed by a doctor after the diagnosis of SARS, is it worth blaming the mother for refusing to follow this prescription? If there were no complications and an incidental bacterial infection, this drug is at best notwould have had no effect at all. Yes, and the competence of a doctor who prescribed an antibiotic for the treatment of a common ARVI is questionable.
Or, for example, the doctor prescribes Augmentin, and it causes severe allergies and digestive problems in the child (this, according to doctors, is not so rare). A frustrated and worried mother is likely to write a negative review about the medicine. Therefore, instead of focusing on reviews of certain antibiotic drugs, remember the theoretical foundations. Do not be afraid to ask the doctor to explain the purpose of this or that medicine, ask to show you the results of the tests. This is how you keep your child he althy.
