?

Antibiotics Aren’t Always 

the Answer

Most illnesses are caused by two kinds of 

germs: bacteria or viruses. Antibiotics can cure 

bacterial infections – not viral infections.

Bacteria cause strep throat, some pneumonia 

and sinus infections. Antibiotics can work.

Virusescause the common cold, most 

coughs and the flu. Antibiotics don’t work.

Using antibiotics for a virus:

•	 Will NOT cure the infection

•	 Will NOT help your child feel better

•	 Will NOT keep others from catching

	 your child’s illness

Protect Your Child,

Give the Best Care

Antibiotics should not be used to treat 

the common cold, runny noses and 

most coughs. Children fight off these 

viral illnesses on their own.

If your child’s healthcare provider prescribes 

an antibiotic to treat a bacterial infection – 

like strep throat – be sure to give your child all 

of the medicine. Only using part of the prescription means that only part of the infection 

has been treated. Not finishing the medicine 

can cause resistant bacteria to develop.

Talk to Your Healthcare 

Provider to Learn More

Commonly Asked 

Questions:

How Do I Know if My Child has 

a Viral or Bacterial Infection?

Ask your child’s healthcare provider and follow 

his or her advice on what to do about your 

child’s illness.

Remember, colds are caused by viruses and 

should not be treated with antibiotics.

Does This Mean I Should Never 

Give My Child Antibiotics?

Antibiotics are very strong medicines and 

should be used to treat bacterial infections. Your 

healthcare provider will prescribe antibiotics if 

your child has a bacterial infection.

If Mucus from the Nose Changes 

from Clear to Yellow or Green — 

Does This Mean That my Child 

Needs an Antibiotic?

No. Yellow or green mucus does not mean that 

your child has a bacterial infection. It is normal 

for mucus to get thick and change color during 

a viral cold.

When your child issick, youwantto

do everything you can to help. But

antibiotics are notthe answerfor

every illness. This brochurewill help you

knowwhen antibioticswork – andwhen they

won’t. For more information,talk to your

healthcare provider or visitwww.cdc.gov/

getsmart.

The Risk: 

Bacteria Become Resistant 

What’s the harm in giving your child 

antibiotics anytime? Taking antibiotics when 

they are not needed can cause some bacteria 

to become resistant to the antibiotic. 

These resistant bacteria are stronger and 

harder to kill. They can stay in your child’s 

body and can cause severe illnesses that can’t 

be cured with antibiotics. A cure for resistant 

bacteria may require stronger treatment – and 

possibly a stay in the hospital.

To help prevent antibiotic resistance, the 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 

(CDC) recommends giving your child 

antibiotics only when necessary. 
For more information, see the Centers for 

Disease Control and Prevention website at:

www.cdc.gov/getsmart or call 1-800-CDC-INFO

Snort. Sniffle. 

Sneeze.

No Antibiotics 

Please.

GET SMART...

• Antibiotics are strong medicines, 

but they don’t cure everything.

• When not used correctly, antibiotics 

can actually be harmful to your 

child’s health.

• Antibiotics can cure most bacterial 

infections. Antibiotics cannot cure 

viral illnesses.

• Antibiotics kill bacteria – not viruses.

• When your child is sick, antibiotics 

are not always the answer.

USE ANTIBIOTICS WISELY

Talk with your healthcare 

provider about the right medicines 

for your child's health.

FOR PARENTS