Paediatrics » Evaluation of common symptoms

When to give antibiotics to a child with cough?

Cough is one of the most common causes for unnecessary antibiotic treatment especially in children. Only mycoplasmae, Bordetella pertussis and chlamydiae are considered significant pathogens in the aetiology of bronchitis in children. The probability of a secondary bacterial infection is minimal. In majority of children the diagnosis of acute bacterial bronchitis is an unnecessary precaution. However, it is important to identify children with bronchial hyper-reactivity who have recurrent wheezing or rales. In such children treatments for asthma should be considered after consultation with a paediatrician. It is a mistake to treat these children with recurrent courses of antibiotics.

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