The Eustachian tube connects the middle ear and the back of the throat. Because this tube is narrow in young children, it can become blocked, especially with a cold. This blockage can lead to an infection.
Why You Probably Don’t Need Antibiotics for Ear Infection
It is important to note that 70-80% of children who have an ear infection will get better without an antibiotic. Some ear infections are due to viruses and some are due to bacteria. Waiting but continuing to watch for symptoms is a reasonable approach that your doctor might recommend.
Symptoms of Ear Infection
Fever
Ear pain
Irritability
Prevention of Ear Infection
Wash your hands frequently and teach your child about handwashing since most ear infections occur after a cold.
Avoid exposing your child to second hand smoke.
Do not give your child a bottle to drink while lying down.
Ensure your children are up to date with their routine immunizations.
Management of Ear Infection
Consider using acetaminophen (like Tylenol) or ibuprofen (like Advil) for pain and fever. Ibuprofen should not be given to children under 6 months of age without first speaking to your health care provider. Please follow dosing instructions on the box or speak to a doctor or pharmacist for more information.
Place a warm cloth over the outside of the ear.
Antihistamines and decongestants do not help an ear infection.
Under certain circumstances your doctor may prescribe antibiotics after examination of your child’s ears.
Because of the risk of antibiotic resistance, it is no longer recommended to give antibiotics for prolonged periods to prevent ear infections.
When to See a Health-Care Provider for an Ear Infection
See a health-care provider if a child has an earache and:
They also have a high fever
They seem unwell
They have redness or welling behind the ear
Their ear is pushed forward
Their earache remains severe for more than 24 hours despite using acetaminophen/ibuprofen
Adults with fevers or other illness should always consider consulting a health-care provider if symptoms worsen or are unusually severe.
In British Columbia, you can call HealthLink BC (at 8-1-1) or visit healthlinkbc.ca if you need advice or are unsure of the best course of action.
Why You Probably Don’t Need Antibiotics for a Sore Throat
A sore throat often comes with a cold. Most sore throats are caused by viruses. An antibiotic will not help a sore throat caused by a virus.
Some sore throats are caused by Streptococcus bacteria (the bacteria that causes strep throat). If a sore throat is accompanied by a runny nose, cough, hoarseness, pink eye, or diarrhea, it is likely due to a virus and NOT strep throat.
Your health-care provider cannot tell if a sore throat is strep throat just by looking at it.
If the sore throat is part of a cold, it is most likely caused by a virus and a throat swab is not needed.
If you do not have signs of a cold, your health-care provider might take a throat swab to show whether the sore throat is caused by bacteria or a virus. The test results are usually ready within 48 hours.
If the test results are negative, antibiotics will not work because the sore throat is likely caused by a virus.
If the test results are positive, your health-care provider might decide to prescribe an antibiotic.
Other family members do not need to be tested unless they are sick.
Why You May Need Antibiotics for Strep Throat
Health-care providers usually treat strep throat with antibiotics. Antibiotics shorten the time you are able to spread the disease to others (are contagious) and lower the risk of spreading the infection to other parts of your body. Antibiotics also may help you feel better faster.
You are contagious while you still have symptoms. Most people stop being contagious 24 hours after they start antibiotics. If you don’t take antibiotics, you may be contagious for 2 to 3 weeks, even if your symptoms go away.
Management of Sore Throat
Drink plenty of fluids such as water.
Consider using acetaminophen (like Tylenol) or ibuprofen (like Advil) for throat pain and fever. Ibuprofen should not be given to children under 6 months of age without first speaking to your health-care provider. Please follow dosing instructions on the box or speak to a doctor or pharmacist for more information.
For children six years of age and older and adults, plain throat lozenges may relieve symptoms. NOTE: Younger children should not be given lozenges because of the danger of choking.
For older children and adults, gargling with warm salt water will make the throat feel better. Mix ½ tsp table salt with 1 cup (250 ml) warm water. Gargle for 10 seconds. May be done 4–5 times per day.
You or your child can go back to normal activity when feeling better.
In British Columbia, you can call HealthLink BC (at 8-1-1) or visit healthlinkbc.ca if you need advice or are unsure of the best course of action.
Speak to your primary health-care provider for a sore throat that continues for 2 – 3 days without any other symptoms of a cold (such as a cough, watery eyes, sneezing or runny nose) or for a sore throat accompanied by pain or swelling in the neck. For more information, see HealthLinkBC.
Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs. Pneumonia is most often caused by bacteria, but viruses and fungi can also cause pneumonia. Most coughs in adults and children are caused by viral infections of the respiratory tract.
Why You Might Need Antibiotics for Pneumonia
Antibiotics should be used for a cough only if the individual has pneumonia due to bacteria or tests positive for pertussis (whooping cough).
Symptoms of Pneumonia
Fever, cough, and chest pain.
Coughing up mucus that may be yellow or green. This does not mean it is a bacterial infection.
Wheezing may occur.
Management of Pneumonia
Drink plenty of fluids such as water.
If your cough is preventing you from resting, talk to your health-care provider about what medicine might help.
Plain cough drops or lozenges may help older children and adults. Avoid antibacterial cough drops because they can lead to antibiotic resistance. NOTE: Cough drops should not be given to children less than six years of age because of the risk of choking.
A chest x-ray is recommended to diagnose bacterial pneumonia. Once the diagnosis is made, antibiotics are normally prescribed.
In British Columbia, you can call HealthLink BC (at 8-1-1) or visit healthlinkbc.ca if you need advice or are unsure of the best course of action.
Do I Need Antibiotics for Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)?
A urinary tract infection is a general term for an infection anywhere between the kidneys and the urethra (where urine comes out). Most urinary tract infections are bladder infections. They often cause pain or burning when you urinate. They’re caused by bacteria and can be cured with antibiotics.
Why You Might Need Antibiotics for Urinary Tract Infection
Antibiotics prescribed by your doctor will usually cure a bladder infection. It may help to drink lots of water and other fluids and to urinate often, emptying your bladder each time.
Symptoms of Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
Burning or pain when urinating
Increased frequency of urinating
Fever and flank pain
Prevention of Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
Empty your bladder each time that you urinate.
If you are a sexually active woman, urinate shortly after having sex and use a birth control method that does not include spermicides.
If you are a woman past menopause who is having repeated UTIs, using vaginal estrogen may help.
Management of Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
Drink lots of water and fluids
Urinate often, emptying your bladder each time
Asymptomatic Bacteriuria
Asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB) refers to the presence of bacteria in the urine without symptoms of a urinary tract infection. ASB is a colonization state rather than an infection and DOES NOT require antibiotics. Older persons are much more likely to have bacteria in the urine as a normal condition of aging.
Why You Don’t Need Antibiotics for Asymptomatic Bacteriuria
Giving antibiotics for this condition will cause unnecessary side effects including diarrhea and will promote resistance of bacteria.
NOTE: Cloudy, foul smelling urine does not indicate a urinary tract infection. It usually indicates dehydration and does not need to be investigated with a urine test. Your health-care provider will assess your symptoms and may not prescribe antibiotics without additional symptoms of a UTI.
In British Columbia, you can call HealthLink BC (at 8-1-1) or visit healthlinkbc.ca if you need advice or are unsure of the best course of action.
