Snort Sniffle Sneeze 

[Woman 1] Achoo! 

[Child] You know how frustrating it is trying to help your kids when they’re sick. 

 

[Man 1] I don’t feel so good. 

[Child] A visit to the doctor’s office can be a challenge. 

[Man 2] No I don’t want you to take my temperature... no. 

 

[Woman 2] I wish it would feel better. My ear. 

 

[Child Doctor] As a parent, you want to help make your child feel better as fast as possible. It’s 

tempting to think that antibiotics are the answer when your child is sick, but that may not always 

be the case. 

You don’t look so good. 

A lot of illnesses can be caused by viruses and antibiotics don’t work on viruses. In fact, 

antibiotics are strong medicines that can have serious side effects. 

 

[Doctor] I’m a doctor but also the mother of two kids so I’ve seen my share of waiting rooms 

like this. She’s right; if antibiotics are used too often for things they can’t treat, like colds, flu, or 

other viral infections, they can stop working effectively against bacteria when you really need 

them. 

Antibiotic resistance - when antibiotics can no longer cure bacterial infections - has been a 

concern for years. Everyday problems can become much worse if we can’t use our first line of 

defense. Children can need hospitalization for superbugs that don’t respond to common 

antibiotics. As a parent, you can do something. For example, understand that many ear infections 

and sore throats may not need antibiotics. Work with your doctor to understand the difference 

between infections that are viral and don’t respond to antibiotics, like the cold or the flu, and 

infections that are bacterial and do respond to antibiotics, like strep throat. Always follow the 

directions on any antibiotic prescription. This means taking the prescribed amount of medicine, 

even if feeling better and not sharing or saving antibiotics, not even for other family members. 

Antibiotics are a powerful tool, but you wouldn’t slice a tomato with a chainsaw, right? 

Antibiotics may not always be the answer. Learn more by working with your doctor or other 

health care provider to make sure your children always get the best treatment that’s exactly right 

for them. 

Let’s see how our other doctor is doing with her patients and find out what treatments might 

help. 

Snort Sniffle Sneeze Page 1 of 2 September 2009 
Snort Sniffle Sneeze Page 2 of 2 September 2009 

[Child Doctor] Soothe a sore throat with ice chips, sore throat spray, or lozenges but don’t give 

lozenges to young children. Use a decongestant or saline nasal spray to help relieve nasal 

symptoms. Put a warm moist cloth over an ear that hurts. To help relieve a cough, use a clean 

humidifier or cool mist vaporizer or try breathing in steam from a bowl of hot water or a shower. 

You might need some pain reliever for that ache or fever. 

[Doctor] It looks like her patients are in good hands. But remember, not all over-the-counter 

products are recommended for kids of certain ages. Your pharmacist can help you make the right 

choice. Learn more by visiting our website. We can all get smart about antibiotics. 

[Child Doctor and Doctor] I guess moms and doctors can work together.