Pediatrics Panel Urges Caution When Prescribing Antibiotics
Pediatricians should prescribe antibiotics sparingly for certain common ailments and only when children display specific symptoms caused by bacteria and not by a virus, according to research by the American Academy of Pediatrics' Committee on Infectious Diseases published this week in the journal Pediatrics. The research found that many children and adults tend to be prescribed antibiotics when they have coughs, colds or ear infections caused by viruses. However, the use of such drugs to treat viral infections can raise the risk of antibiotic resistance.
- "Be Cautious With Antibiotics for Kids: Committee" (Pittman, Reuters, 11/18).