Illnesses like coughs, sore throats and ear ache are extremely common in young children, but did you know… our children’s ‘super bodies’ are designed to fight off many common illnesses, without the need for antibiotics?
These common ailments can be unpleasant for children and their caregivers, but are most often caused by viral infections and do not need to be treated with antibiotics.
Antibiotics rarely speed up recovery for these conditions and have no effect on viruses.
Instead, our children’s ‘super bodies’ get to work, and most children with a normal immune system and up to date immunisations will recover in the same amount of time with or without antibiotics.
Take a look at the usual recovery times for coughs, sore throats, and ear ache:
You know your children best, so do seek medical help if you are concerned about their symptoms, or if their ‘super bodies’ need a bit more support because they are immunosuppressed or have other existing medical conditions.
Super bodies preventing super bugs
Our children’s ‘super bodies’ do amazing work against common illnesses like coughs, sore throats and ear ache.
By preparing ourselves with the information and knowledge to care for them at home, spot more serious symptoms, and know when and where to get help, we can support them to feel better sooner, and without unnecessary use of antibiotics.
Understanding when antibiotics are needed
Antibiotics are designed to treat bacterial infections, but many common childhood illnesses are caused by viruses. When your child has a viral illness, antibiotics won’t help them recover faster and may cause side effects like upset stomach.
What is antibiotic resistance?
When we use antibiotics too often or incorrectly, bacteria can change and become resistant to these medicines. This means future infections could be harder to treat, affecting not just your family but the wider community too.
Working with healthcare professionals
If you’re concerned about your child’s symptoms:
- Describe your child’s symptoms fully, including how long they’ve been unwell
- Ask questions if you’re unsure why antibiotics aren’t prescribed
- Trust their professional judgment about whether antibiotics are necessary
If antibiotics are prescribed
- Give the medicine exactly as instructed
- Complete the full course, even if your child feels better
- Never share antibiotics or use leftover medication
- Return any unused antibiotics to a pharmacy for safe disposal
The Super Bodies campaign was designed by NHS Cheshire and Merseyside