Antibiotics for the flu: which ones to choose

Antibiotics are a kind of heavy artillery among anti-infective drugs. The reputation is well deserved, thanks to the ability of antibiotics to quickly stop the progression of the disease and speed up recovery. Despite the impressive list of side effects, people try to treat any diseases caused by infection in the body with antibiotics. As a result, they are faced with the fact that unauthorized use of drugs, in most cases, turns out to be ineffective. One of the reasons for unsuccessful treatment is an attempt to use antibiotics for a viral infection.

Any antibacterial drugs can be taken only in consultation with a doctor. Self-medication is dangerous!

Signs of ARVI in a child

Usually, mothers begin to get acquainted with the concepts of acute respiratory viral infections, acute respiratory infections and other vague definitions after the child goes to kindergarten. The first year of adaptation for most children is quite difficult: a week in kindergarten, two weeks at home.

To avoid confusion in terminology:

ARVI or acute respiratory infections in childhood

ARVI - acute viral respiratory infection, mainly upper respiratory tract infections (pharyngitis, rhinitis, sinusitis, tonsillitis, adenovirus)
Acute respiratory infections - diseases of the upper and lower respiratory tract of a viral or bacterial nature (sore throat, bronchitis, pneumonia, influenza, parainfluenza)

The symptoms of viral and bacterial infections at the onset of the disease are very similar, so pediatricians usually prefer to give the child a vague diagnosis of acute respiratory infections. The disease goes through several stages: incubation and prodromal periods. Viruses infect the body almost immediately: the incubation period can be several hours (maximum 5 days). The bacteria do not show symptoms for up to 14 days.

ARVI is characterized by:

sneezing
runny nose (nasal discharge that is clear and thin like water)
the temperature in most cases does not exceed 38.5°
cough (at first dry, but when infected with viruses, the cough becomes wet and productive after a day or two)
swelling of the nasopharynx
general signs of intoxication: weakness, redness of the eyes, lacrimation

The body's reaction to the virus is obvious: the rejection of mucus indicates that the body is trying to get rid of the stranger. The throat in children during ARVI becomes red, without purulent plaque.

The illness caused by the virus usually disappears after 4-5 days. At this point, protective proteins (interferons) accumulate in the child’s body, which destroy the infection.

The largest number of interferons are produced on the third day from the onset of the disease.

Therefore, if after three days of illness the child does not get better, doctors prescribe an antibiotic, assuming a bacterial infection.

Antibiotics for complications after influenza

When a person falls ill during an acute respiratory viral infection, the question arises of what antibiotics to take for the flu. All medications are divided into groups and are intended for specific complications, because each type of drug destroys a specific type of bacteria. After the therapist makes an accurate diagnosis, he will be able to determine what antibiotics to take for the flu.

There are the following main groups of such medications:

Penicillin group. The main indication for their use is infections of the ENT organs and upper respiratory tract. The most common drugs are Ampicillin and Amoxicillin.
Group of fluoroquinolones. If the therapist has diagnosed pharyngitis, sinusitis or otitis media, then it would be advisable to use antibiotics from this group. Ciprofloxacin, Ofloxacin or Levofloxacin are usually prescribed.
Group of cephalosporins. This kind of medicine is used in particularly serious cases. These include Cefaclor, Ceftriaxone and Cefixime. Their use is advisable when the course of the disease is prolonged and the patient begins to have complications.
Group of chloramphenicol drugs. The use of antibiotics of this group is justified only in cases where there is a threat to the patient's life. They often cause aplastic anemia. The list of bacteriostatic antibiotics includes Alfetin, Galomycetin, Syntomycin and other drugs.
Group of macrolides. They are suitable for the treatment of complications such as sinusitis, pharyngitis, and otitis media. Representatives of this group are Erythromycin, Azithromycin and Spiramycin.
Antituberculosis antibiotics. The purpose of such drugs is to suppress Koch's bacillus. Representatives of this group are Rifampicin, Isoniazid, Ofloxacin and Streptomycin.
Aminoglycosides. Bactericidal drugs of this group are very highly toxic. If complications from the flu or any other disease include blood infections or peritonitis, then it makes sense to use one of the antibiotics in this group. Aminoglycosides are Neomycin, Tobramycin, Gentamicin, Netilmicin and Streptomycin.
Antifungal medications. Very often, during influenza therapy, a patient develops a fungus. The purpose of drugs in this group is to combat it. One of the most common drugs is Nystatin.
Group of Actinomycetes. The need to use such medications is determined by the presence of tumors in the patient. One of the drugs in the group is Dactinomycin.

The therapist must make a diagnosis. Judging by the patient’s condition, he will determine whether antibiotics are needed for the flu on an individual basis. Despite the fact that drugs of this kind can be purchased at a pharmacy without a prescription, they cannot be used without a doctor’s prescription.

The doctor selects antibiotics for influenza and colds for adults based on the influenza complication:

Pneumonia. Effective drugs in this case will be Azithromycin, Ceftazidime, Augmentin or Levofloxacin. In case of an atypical form of the disease, macrolide antibiotics, for example, Clarithromycin or Midekamycin, will be especially effective.
Bronchitis. Typically, this type of complication after influenza is treated with cephalosporin antibiotics. Drug therapy can be carried out with Cefaclor, Cefalotin or Ceftriaxone.
Sinusitis and sinusitis. Bacterial types of such diseases are treated with drugs such as Clarithromycin, Amoxicillin or Sumamed.
Tonsillitis. Antibiotics of the penicillin group are most suitable for treating this complication. This is especially advisable in cases where the cause of the disease is streptococci. The choice may be Amoxicillin or Phenoxymethylpenicillin.

Amoxicillin is considered one of the most inexpensive antibiotics for ARVI and influenza. During an epidemic, the drug is especially effective for therapeutic therapy. But, despite its availability, this is not a reason to immediately buy medication at the first sign of illness. The doctor will decide whether in this case the flu can be treated with antibiotics.

Test for bacterial infection

To reliably diagnose the nature of the disease, there is a need for a clinical blood test. Signs indicating a virus:

Blood test results

the number of red blood cells in acute respiratory viral infections remains within acceptable normal limits or is slightly increased due to dehydration
leukocytes remain either at the lower limit of normal or are reduced more than normal
the number of neutrophils in ARVI is reduced
eosinophils in the blood may disappear altogether if they are affected by viruses
the level of lymphocytes and monocytes increases significantly - a specific sign for the virus

Indicators in the blood characteristic of bacterial infection:

a bacterial infection is indicated by a jump in the blood of leukocytes and neutrophils
the number of lymphocytes is usually reduced
increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate (although in severe forms of ARVI, ESR levels are also quite high, so this indicator is a nonspecific sign)

Urinalysis and blood biochemistry for viral infections remain largely unchanged, so there is no need to carry them out. It is advisable to take a blood test to determine the pathogen on the first day of illness, but only if the disease is severe.

If it is impossible to get tested for some reason, you can suspect a complication of ARVI if you have the following signs:

discharge from the nose or eyes, phlegm from the lungs becomes cloudy and turns yellow or green
on day 5 there is no improvement, or after stabilization the child’s condition becomes worse again
urine color changes, it becomes cloudy, visible sediment appears
the appearance of blood or mucus in the stool indicates intestinal damage

To confirm or refute a bacterial infection, swabs from the nose and throat and culture of tonsil secretions are performed.

Antibiotics: indications for use

There must be compelling reasons for prescribing antibacterial drugs to a child. Drug abuse threatens the emergence of antibiotic resistance. Often, the use of medications causes bacteria to change so that they do not respond to treatment.

There is no point in prescribing antibiotics:

Antibiotics for purulent otitis media

for acute viral infections (nasopharyngitis, viral tonsillitis and conjunctivitis, tracheitis, rhinitis, laryngitis, influenza, mild bronchitis)
according to WHO guidelines, antibiotics are useless for acute intestinal infections with loose stools
to reduce body temperature: drugs are designed to suppress the growth and reproduction of bacteria
to prevent bacterial infection

As a rule, antibiotics for ARVI in children can be used in the following situations:

If the child is under 3 months and the temperature does not fall above 38° for more than three days
On the 6th day after improvement, the health condition worsens again
In case of enlargement of the submandibular lymph nodes (possibility of diphtheria or tonsillitis)
If a dry cough lasts more than 10 days (suspicion of whooping cough)
In case of purulent nasal discharge, nasal voice, headaches in the forehead or maxillary sinuses (risk of developing sinusitis)
If plaque is detected on the tonsils (scarlet fever, infectious mononucleosis, streptococcal tonsillitis)
If there is a shooting pain in the ear, pressing on the tragus causes pain, fluid leaks from the sore ear (typical signs of otitis media)

With a viral infection, the cough appears sporadically, wheezing is not heard in the lungs, and there is no hard breathing. Nasal congestion is allowed for up to 14 days; if nasal breathing is difficult after this period, the doctor will most likely prescribe an antibiotic.

Prescribing antibiotics for ARVI may be advisable for children with immunodeficiency, recurrent otitis media, and congenital malformations. The choice of medication depends on the child’s age and the presence of concomitant chronic diseases.

With good immunity, a child’s body copes with a viral infection in 7 days.

List of antibiotics for ARVI

Some of the most effective antibacterial drugs for ARVI are the following:

The cephalosporin series includes cefexin, ceporin, and asetil - semisynthetic drugs with a wide spectrum of effects. Three generations of these drugs are known. The bacteriostatic effect allows the use of these antibiotics for any infectious diseases of the respiratory system. Adults can take the drugs in a daily dose of 400 mg, divided into two doses. The course of treatment is 1-2 weeks;
The fluoroquinolone series is represented by moxifloxacin and levofloxacin, which are characterized by rapid absorption and good bactericidal effect. Adults are prescribed 0.5 g per day. Not recommended for use in pediatric practice;
The macrolide series is represented by erythromycin, azithromycin, used for sinusitis, sore throat, otitis media, and pneumonia. It is permissible to take these drugs during pregnancy. Take 5-6 times a day, 0.25 g;
The penicillin series consists of antibiotic derivatives of penicillin: ampicillin, amoxicillin, oxacillin. Can be used in pediatrics, as they have a low degree of toxicity. The daily dose is from two to three grams, taken 4 times.

The course of antibiotic therapy is 1-2 weeks, but not less than five and no more than 14 days.

If one antibiotic is ineffective, it should be quickly replaced with another, with a stronger degree of activity against bacteria.

Rules of application

Antibiotics should not be taken the first time a child sneezes or has a runny nose. These are serious medications that are approved for use only as prescribed by a doctor. It is extremely unwise to prescribe antibiotics to a child on your own, listening to the advice of friends or Internet resources. This group of medications has clear rules for taking them that should not be violated:

Rules for the use of antibiotics

It is forbidden to use the same antibiotic within a period of 2-3 months: to prevent drug resistance from occurring, the doctor will prescribe a medicine with a different active substance
You cannot increase or decrease the dose of the medicine ignoring the instructions: it is calculated based on information about the child’s body weight and age; if the dose is exceeded, there is a high risk of poisoning; if the dosage is reduced, the antibiotic may be useless
Before administering an injectable antibiotic, it is recommended to conduct an allergy test
for babies who are not able to chew tablets, there are analogues in syrup or suspension
If you are allergic to penicillin or another type of antibiotic, you should notify your doctor.
It is better to take the medicine after meals with plain water
you need to take the antibiotic at the same time at regular intervals
the effectiveness of treatment is nullified if the medicine is stopped before the full course is completed; the standard course of antibiotic therapy is 5-6 days (some medicines are taken for 3 days)
if three days after the start of the course the child does not get better, it is recommended to change the type of antibiotic

How do antibacterial drugs work?

Antibacterial drugs find the weak points of the microbial cell and attack. Penicillins and cephalosporins act externally - they destroy the cell wall, blocking the participation of enzymes in its creation. Tetracycline, erythromycin and gentamicin bind to cell ribosomes and disrupt protein synthesis. The targets of quinolones are proteins involved in reading hereditary information from DNA.

The nucleic acids of viruses are contained inside a protein capsule (capsid). DNA or RNA penetrates into a plant, animal or human cell in various ways, after which the reproduction of new viral particles begins. Penicillins and cephalosporins will not affect the virus, because there is no cell wall and there is nothing to destroy. Tetracycline will not find the bacterial ribosome it is supposed to attack.

The virus and currently existing antibiotics are incompatible. These drugs only affect certain groups of microbes. Amoxicillin and ampicillin are used for streptococcal and pneumococcal infections. Mycoplasmas and chlamydia react to erythromycin and other macrolides.

Broad-spectrum antibacterial drugs are effective against a large group of microbes and large viruses, but there are not many of the latter.

How to properly treat with antibiotics:

The duration of therapy depends on the disease and the drug, but not less than 5 days.
For children under 8 years of age, antibacterial drugs are given in the form of syrup or suspension.
Aerosol "Bioparox" contains a local antibiotic that helps cure rhinitis, sinusitis, pharyngitis and sore throat.
Along with antibacterial drugs, medications or dietary supplements with lacto- and bifidobacteria are given to normalize the intestinal microflora.
It is necessary to adhere to the dosage, recommendations for the method and duration of taking the antibiotic.
If the drug is ineffective, the doctor prescribes a drug from another group of antibacterial agents.
For allergies to penicillins, macrolides are prescribed.

Patients at doctor's appointments are often interested in which antibiotic is better. The most commonly used drugs include macrolides. They have broad antimicrobial activity: they suppress the growth and development of bacteria that affect the respiratory system, and affect chlamydia and mycoplasma.

Of the macrolides for the treatment of upper respiratory tract infections, azithromycin and clarithromycin are preferable. Azithromycin is enough to take 5 days 1 or 2 times a day for bacterial sore throat. During this time, the antibacterial substance accumulates at the site of infection and continues to act on bacteria sensitive to it.

Azithromycin additionally has an immunostimulating and anti-inflammatory effect.

It was azithromycin that pediatrician E. Komarovsky named in response to the question: “What antibiotics are recommended to be given to children with sore throat?” The drug is currently considered safe and effective, but this opinion may change in a few years. Doctor Komarovsky also discussed with the parents the problem of whether ARVI could be treated with antibiotics, and explained that much depends on the specific situation.

Popular children's antibiotics

Macrolides

Azithromycin

The most popular antibiotics prescribed by pediatricians for complications of a viral infection are drugs from the macrolide series. They cause minimal toxic harm to the body, so they are allowed to be used in the treatment of children older than 6 months.

Most often, macrolide preparations are used to treat ENT organs for respiratory diseases. The group with a complex structure includes drugs based on the following antibiotics:

Erythromycin
Azithromycin
Spiramycin
Roxithromycin
Clarithromycin
Midecamycin
Josamycin

Like all medications, macrolides can cause side effects: loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and upset stomach. Macrolides are also prohibited in case of individual intolerance to the components of the drug.

But they have advantages over other antibiotics:

The active substance of the drug accumulates in the lymph cells where the bacteria that cause the disease are localized. Therefore, even at small doses, macrolides have a powerful antibacterial effect.
Macrolides block the proliferation of fungus. Unlike other types of antibiotics, candidiasis is extremely rare after taking macrolides.
If the dosage of the drug is accidentally or intentionally exceeded, the risk of intoxication is minimal.
Macrolides are prescribed to patients with allergies or intolerance to penicillin.

The most popular antibiotics:

Summed
Klacid
Azitrox
Azimed
Macropen
Hemomycin
Zitrolide

Judging by the reviews of young mothers, Summamed takes the leading place among macrolides. The medicine is recommended for children from 6 months of age, it is produced in suspension, the course of treatment is only 3 days.

Summamed is often prescribed for ARVI complicated by complications. It is indicated for sinusitis, tonsillitis, otitis, pneumonia and pharyngitis. The dose of the drug is 10 mg per 1 kg of child weight.

For sinusitis and prolonged bronchitis, Klacid is often prescribed. The active substance Clarithromycin inhibits the activity of streptococci, pneumococci and staphylococci. Course of treatment: from 7 to 10 days. Allowed for children over 12 years of age, taken twice a day with an interval of 12 hours.

It is advisable to take macrolides 1 hour before meals or two hours after.

Cephalosporin series

Cefazolin

Every child who has been treated in a hospital knows about cephalosporins: for complicated acute respiratory viral infections and bacterial infections in medical institutions, children are universally prescribed cephalosporin antibiotics. When treated in a hospital setting, intravenous administration of this group of antibiotics reduces the likelihood of gastrointestinal disorders.

To date, 4 generations of cephalosporin drugs have been studied and developed:

Cefazolin, Cephaloridine
Cefuroxime, Cefamandole
Cefotaxime
Cefepime

A distinctive quality of this group: some representatives of antibiotics are used by newborns. Indications for use:

Bacterial infections of the upper respiratory tract - otitis media, acute sinusitis, pharyngitis, acute tonsillitis, frontal sinusitis, sinusitis
Urinary tract infections - cystitis, urethritis
Infectious diseases of the lower respiratory tract - chronic and acute bronchitis, pneumonia, pleurisy

Popular representatives of cephalosporins are:

Suprax
Cefix
Zinnat
Pantsef
Zinatsef
Ixim
CeforalSolutab

The drugs have an aggressive effect on the intestinal microflora, so when used, side effects often occur: loose stools, nausea, rash. There is a possibility of dizziness or headache.

For children under 12 years of age, cephalosporins are allowed only in suspension form. This type of antibiotic is not recommended for a child suffering from kidney problems. Self-prescription of a cephalosporin antibiotic is strictly prohibited: its purpose is to destroy serious pathogenic bacteria.

There must be serious reasons for prescribing cephalosporin antibiotics; usually the doctor tries to choose a more gentle drug. Injection of the drug is considered a last resort. For example, a Ceftriaxone injection, which is used in children's infectious diseases departments, is a very painful procedure.

The main criterion for the effectiveness of the drug is the normalization of body temperature to 37-38° within 72 hours (if there are no positive changes, the antibiotic should be replaced).

Penicillin group

Amoxicillin

Penicillins are considered a first-line drug, especially when tonsillitis is detected, which often develops into bacterial tonsillitis. Penicillin has a wide spectrum of action, is excreted in the urine, so at the same time it can eliminate the infection contained in the kidneys.

Preference is given to semi-synthetic penicillins (Amoxicillin, Flemoxin Solutab) or protected ones (Amoxicillin in combination with clavulanic acid). Most often they are used:

with purulent tonsillitis
in acute forms of sinusitis or sinusitis
for the treatment of purulent lymphadenitis
with laryngotracheitis
with purulent otitis media of the middle ear

The most popular means:

Amoxiclav
Augmentin
Flemoskin Solutab
Flemoklav
Ospamox

The drug is prescribed for the diagnosis:

infectious diseases of soft tissues and skin
bronchitis, tracheitis, pneumonia
pyelonephritis, cystitis
peritonitis
infectious complications after surgery

The disadvantage of penicillin drugs is side effects. Children who take medications develop a rash, itching, skin irritation, and swelling. Cases of candidiasis have been reported.

Due to the increased resistance of bacteria to penicillins, pediatricians prefer to prescribe drugs in combination with clavulanic acid. This substance blocks the ability of bacteria to destroy the antibiotic. A representative of such drugs is Amoxiclav or Flemoklav. It is advisable to use them in children who get sick more than 8-10 times a year, and who often develop resistance to the antibiotic.

However, you should be careful in dosage: exceeding the daily dose can result in vomiting and diarrhea, and in rare cases, Quincke's edema.

90% of respiratory diseases are caused by a viral infection. The virus is not able to live outside the human body: once inside the cell, it creates copies of itself. A bacterium is an independent organism.

Antibiotics are designed to inhibit the growth and reproduction of bacteria, not viruses. The body copes with viruses on its own, producing an individual antidote each time.

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Aug 24, 2016Violetta Lekar

Source

The average child gets sick with colds and ARVI at least 1-2 times a year. This usually happens when the season suitable for diseases begins - spring or autumn. And often parents are faced with the question of whether to give their baby antibiotics for a cold? To understand this, you need to clearly understand what a cold is.

We are used to calling this word everything that causes us sneezing, coughing, runny nose, fever, etc. Even the herpes simplex virus, which pops up on the lip and itches unpleasantly, we also dubbed it a cold. In the broad popular understanding, a cold is the flu, acute respiratory viral infections, acute respiratory infections, laryngitis-tracheitis, and much more.

In fact, a cold is hypothermia, as a result of which opportunistic microflora begins to divide and multiply in the body at an unprecedented speed.

Most colds are caused by bacteria. And influenza, ARVI, herpes simplex virus are viral diseases. ARI can be both bacterial and viral in nature.

And now about antibiotics. Any, even the most modern, best antibiotic of the latest generation is completely powerless against viruses. Therefore, in case of ARVI, influenza and partly in case of acute respiratory infections, taking antibiotics is pointless and merciless. But in the fight against a genuine cold of bacterial origin, they will be the foundation, the basis of correct and competent treatment.

However, as with any rule, there are exceptions to this. And for ARVI, the pediatrician prescribes antibiotics. Why and when does this happen?

What do doctors prescribe?

Typically, preference is given to antimicrobial drugs with a broad spectrum of action, high digestibility, and low toxicity. It is necessary to have a minimal impact of the antibiotic on the beneficial intestinal microflora and the absence of dysbiosis when using it. Prescribed:

Penicillin drugs, which include Oxacillin, Ampiox, Ampicillin. These drugs are characterized by the ability to be rapidly absorbed; they are effective against streptococci, pneumococci, and meningococci.
The cephalosporin series includes Cephalexin, Cefazolin, Cephaloridine. The drugs are low-toxic, act against both gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria, and are capable of inhibiting penicillin-resistant strains.
Macrolide antibiotics include Erythromycin and Azithromycin, which are designed to inhibit the proliferation of microorganisms.
The tetracycline series includes Doxycycline and Tetracycline. The drugs stop protein synthesis in the cell.
For severe infectious pathologies, aminoglycosides are used, which include Gentamicin and Amikacin.
Other groups of antimicrobial drugs include Lincomycin and Rifampicin.

In case of addition of a bacterial intestinal infection to the original rotavirus infection, Enterofuril, Furazolidone, and other antimicrobial drugs can be used. They help prevent prolonged diarrhea and are prescribed based on test results.

The most dangerous consequences of rotavirus infection for a child can be critical dehydration and rapid weight loss. The younger the baby is, the more serious the consequences. Dehydration due to rotavirus pathology often entails:

The development of pneumonia, because with the loss of fluid, blood and mucus thicken, which contributes to disruption of the functionality of the lungs, bronchi and cardiovascular system.
Impaired stability of the nervous system, complications manifest as convulsions and loss of consciousness. Due to the loss of sodium and calcium, the electrical signals passing through the cells are disrupted, they mix, which causes involuntary muscle contractions.
The development of a coma, the occurrence of delirium and mental agitation cannot be ruled out.
If there is insufficient blood volume, there is a sharp drop in pressure, a decrease in oxygen levels, and hypovolemic shock is possible - a life-threatening condition.

Considering all of the above, we conclude: sometimes taking antibiotics even in the presence of viral infections becomes a necessity. In this case, only an experienced specialist can determine the type of infection and select the right drug.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=8dT0LwPYWIc

Suitable antibiotics

For ARVI

For ARVI (acute respiratory viral infection), the child does not require antibiotics. You can easily get by with antiviral drugs and other medications depending on the symptoms (antipyretics, expectorants, antihistamines). Well-known pediatrician Evgeny Komarovsky generally insists that medications are not needed for a viral infection, since the child’s immunity must learn to cope with threats from the outside.

You can easily find out what a doctor thinks on this topic by watching this video:

But all this is true only until a bacterial infection joins the viral infection. And this happens very often.

These are the complications of viral diseases that require treatment with antibiotics. Usually this is a sore throat, otitis media, sinusitis, tonsillitis, pneumonia or even meningitis.

To reliably find out whether a child is developing a bacterial infection, a special examination of a smear from the larynx and nose is required. It can only be done in a bacteriological laboratory, and not every clinic has one. And if you are lucky and live in a city where such a laboratory is available, then you will have to wait 10-14 days for the test result.

Time, as we understand, is precious. Especially when it comes to the health of young children. Therefore, the doctor is guided, as they say, “by eye.” And he often prescribes antibiotics “just in case” in order to protect himself from possible legal consequences that may arise if the baby has a complication and the parents accuse the specialist of improper treatment.

It will be very difficult for a doctor to prove that he is right here.

Here, it is important for moms and dads to remember that taking antibiotics for a viral infection is in no way a guarantee that complications of ARVI can be avoided. Scientists even found that there is some kind of dependence: patients who mistakenly or mistakenly took antibiotics for a viral infection were almost 20% more likely to experience unwanted complications. For those who have treated a viral infection with antiviral drugs, negative health consequences occur much less frequently.

The idea of a bacterial complication of a viral infection, and, accordingly, the need to prescribe antibiotics, should come to the minds of parents and doctors under certain circumstances in the following cases:

If a child with ARVI does not feel better on the fifth day after starting therapy. Or a short-term improvement was replaced by a sharp deterioration in health.
If the baby is less than three months old, and he gets worse at a temperature above 38°, which cannot be reduced for more than three days.
If your child's lymph nodes suddenly become enlarged.
If the cough does not go away for more than 10 days.
If there is purulent mucous discharge from the nose or inclusions of pus in the sputum.
If you have a severe headache and pain in the forehead and maxillary sinuses.
If you have pain in your ears or there is fluid coming out of your ears.

In all these cases, the doctor will prescribe antibiotics. A list of some names of drugs that may be prescribed to your little one:

"Flemoxin Solutab". Antibiotic of the penicillin family. It comes in the form of tablets that are easy to dissolve in water; you can also let the child swallow them whole or simply dissolve them. Flemoxin Solutab has a pleasant fruity taste. To prepare the syrup, just dissolve one tablet in water (20 ml) to create a suspension - one tablet is diluted with water in an amount of 100 ml. The amount of the drug for children should be calculated individually, based on the patient’s age, body weight and characteristics of the course of the disease. Babies from birth to one year can be given no more than 60 mg. medications per kilogram of child’s body weight per day. Children from 1 to 3 years of age are prescribed 250 ml of the drug (2 doses per day) at equal intervals. Children from 3 to 5 years old are given 250 mg of the drug three times a day. For young patients aged 5 to 10 years, a single dose of antibiotic is 375 mg. This amount should be taken two or three times a day.

"Amoxiclav". Combined semi-synthetic penicillin antibiotic - universal. It can be given to children from three months. Pharmacists can find the product in different pharmaceutical forms: dry powder for making a suspension yourself, tablets, powder for preparing oral drops, and dry substance for diluting injections. The dosage of powder for suspension, in the form in which doctors most often try to prescribe antibiotics for children, must be calculated very carefully. To do this, manufacturers have provided the packaging with measuring spoons. Babies from three months to a year are given ½ teaspoon of the prepared solution three times a day. Toddlers from 1 to 7 years old are given a whole teaspoon of suspension (three times a day). School-age children (7-14 years old) – two teaspoons three times a day. For teenagers over 14, Amoxiclav is available in tablet form.

"Ecoclave". Antibiotic of the penicillin family. Available in tablet form and dry substance for home mixing of suspensions. Children under 3 months can receive a daily dose of antibiotic at the rate of 30 mg. drug per 1 kg of child’s weight in 2 doses per day. Babies from 3 months take the medicine three times a day at an average dosage of 20 to 40 mg. antibiotic per 1 kilogram of child's weight. The exact dosage depends on the severity of the disease. Children weighing more than 40 kilograms can take adult doses of the medicine.

"Augmentin". Universal semi-synthetic penicillin antibiotic. Pharmacists present it in the form of coated tablets, powder for homemade suspension and dry substance for dilution (for injection). Children are usually prescribed a suspension. It’s easy to prepare – add chilled boiled water into the bottle to the desired level. The prepared solution should not be stored for longer than 7 days. For children from 2 to 12 years old, the dose of the drug is calculated using the formula 40 mg. funds for 1 kg. weight in three doses per day. Children over 12 years old can take tablets. The drug is prescribed to children from 0 to 2 years of age with caution, since not enough clinical trial data has been collected on children of this age.

"Cefuroxime axetil." Quite a powerful antibiotic of the cephalosporin family. You can buy granules at the pharmacy, from which you can then prepare a suspension. The drug also exists in the form of tablets and dry powders for injection. Children's antibiotic dosage is from 30 to 100 mg. funds per 1 kg. child's body weight. The resulting amount is divided into three to four single doses. Most often, the optimal dosage when treating children is 60 mg. of the drug per 1 kilogram of the child’s weight. Babies from 0 to 3 months are usually prescribed a dose of 30 mg. drug per 1 kg of baby's weight. The amount is divided into two to three times a day.

The doctor ordered

Considering the original product used to produce groups of antibiotics with different spectrums of action, the question of whether it is possible to take antibiotics for a virus becomes irrelevant. Or not? Why, if antibiotic treatment for the same viral respiratory tract infection is ineffective, do doctors continue to prescribe them? Why are antibiotics prescribed even to young children, despite the high likelihood of serious side effects? And if the doctor believes that it is possible and necessary to take antibiotics for acute respiratory viral infections or the flu, does this mean that these medications still help?

It turns out that there are no contradictions in doctors prescribing antibiotics for viral diseases. It is true that upper respiratory tract infections cannot be treated with these drugs; they should only be treated with antiviral drugs. But if there is no improvement on the third day, antibiotics are needed to avoid bacterial infection.

Today you can't, but tomorrow you can

Time is the main guideline determining the advisability of prescribing antibiotics. Regardless of whether the virus has to be treated in adults or children, the doctor first of all notes the effectiveness of the treatment on the third or fifth (for influenza) day of illness. If there is no significant improvement or the condition worsens, the specialist determines which antibiotics to take in order to prevent complications or the development of bacterial diseases. The latter often accompany ARVI, since infection is facilitated by:

A viral attack accompanied by the formation of a wound surface on the mucous membranes. The wound surface is an ideal condition for bacterial infection to attach.
Weakened immune system.

An additional danger is posed by gradual infection by bacteria. Against the background of a rapid viral attack, when preventive treatment with antibiotics is not carried out, a bacterial infection gives the following complications:

meningitis;
angina;
otitis;
sinusitis;
tonsillitis;
pneumonia.

On the 3rd or 5th day of treatment for a viral disease, it is possible to prescribe an antibiotic.
However, as it may seem at first glance, a high fever or a severe cough that stubbornly refuses to give up its position is not yet a reason to prescribe antibiotic treatment. Especially if a drug with an impressive list of side effects indicated in the instructions has to be given to a child. And yet, the doctor prescribes the drug, because to find out whether pathogenic bacteria are present in the body, special studies are prescribed, which are carried out in bacteriological laboratories. The result is released only after two weeks. In order not to waste time, specialists prefer to carry out treatment in advance, before the infection causes serious complications.

The following symptoms serve as evidence of the presence of bacterial infection:

After five days of treatment, no improvement is observed.
A slight improvement is sharply replaced by a deterioration in the condition.
Body temperature exceeds 38°C and does not decrease for three days.
There is a sudden increase in lymph nodes.
Cough has been bothering you for more than 10 days.
Sputum and nasal discharge contain purulent inclusions.
The headache is localized in the forehead and maxillary sinuses.
There was pain in the ears.

General rules for taking medications

Do not prescribe antibiotics for yourself or on the advice of friends . Only a specialist knows which antibiotic is best to give to a child. Moreover, since 2021, over-the-counter sales of antibiotics have been banned in Russia.
In no case should you stop taking the antibiotic prescribed by the doctor ahead of schedule, even if the baby has made a significant improvement and the child is active again and looks completely healthy. In case of abrupt withdrawal, only weak bacteria will die, the strongest of them will receive lasting immunity to this antibiotic. And next time you will no longer be able to be treated with this drug, it will not have the desired effect. Typically, a course of antibiotic treatment lasts from 5 to 14 days. The doctor knows how many days to give antibiotics to your child.

If you experience symptoms of an allergy to an antibiotic, tell your doctor. But do not give the patient allergy medications (antihistamines) yourself. Antibiotics and antihistamines interact very poorly with each other and, when taken together, can greatly harm your child.
Do not try to enhance the effect of one antibiotic with another from the same group. You only need to be treated with one antibiotic. If there is a need to start taking another drug, the doctor will definitely stop the first one.
To ensure that the antibiotic harms your child as little as possible and has a milder effect on the intestinal microflora, it is better to take the drugs during or immediately after meals. Antibiotics should be taken with plenty of water.
Do not forget to check the expiration date of the drug in your medicine cabinet or when purchasing it at a pharmacy. An expired antibiotic is very dangerous for a child’s health.

In fact, a cold is hypothermia, as a result of which opportunistic microflora begins to divide and multiply in the body at an unprecedented speed.
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Good antibiotics for flu

A complex form of influenza or complications after a cold require mandatory antibiotic therapy. Signs that indicate a complex course of the disease are:

prolonged cough;
high fever that cannot be brought down within several days;
severe fever;
purulent sore throat.

Treating such complications requires good antibiotics for flu and colds. These drugs include the following:

Suprax. The main active ingredient is cefixime. The drug can be bought at the pharmacy in three forms: capsules, suspension and granular form. The suspension is intended for children, capsules are prescribed to adults, and the granular form is used to prepare the suspension itself. This is an antibiotic of the third generation cephalosporin group. It is a broad-spectrum bactericidal drug and is often used in the treatment of consequences after influenza. The remedy is especially effective for the treatment of otitis media and all forms of bronchitis. The drug is not prescribed to patients whose weight does not exceed 50 kg.
Rovamycin. The main active ingredient is spiramycin. There are two forms of release: tablets and lyophilisate, which is used for preparing injections. The drug has a bacteriostatic effect and is used as an antibiotic for influenza in adults. Due to its high efficiency, it is not prescribed for more than 5 days.
Levofloxacin. The drug is essentially a synthetic chemotherapy agent. It has a wide spectrum of action and is actively used in the treatment of influenza with antibiotics in adults. The drug is taken orally and administered intravenously. Levofloxacin is additionally available as 0.5% eye drops for the treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis. The medicine is contraindicated for children, pregnant women and nursing mothers.
Chemomycin. The main component of the drug is azithromycin. The product is available in tablets, powder for preparing a suspension, capsules, lyophilisate for preparing an injection solution. The antibiotic has bactericidal and antibacterial effects. The drug is produced in Serbia.
Cephalexin. Antibiotic for colds and flu is produced only in capsules. It is effective in treating respiratory tract and otorhinolaryngological infections. Drinking alcohol is strictly prohibited during therapy. Women expecting a baby are not prescribed the drug.

It depends on the patient’s condition whether it is necessary to take antibiotics for the flu. The mild form does not require taking such medications. In any case, the final word remains with the doctor. He will write out a prescription and decide which antibiotic is best for the flu in each specific case.