I’m John Swanson, Consultant nurse, for infection prevention and control at NHS Mid and South Essex.
As we mark Antibiotic Resistance Week, I want to share some crucial information about antibiotics and how we can better protect our children from the growing threat of antibiotic resistance.
Antibiotics are vital for treating bacterial infections, but they don’t work for every illness. In fact, antibiotics can only treat bacterial infections, not viral infections such as the common cold, flu, or most sore throats.
Yet, we’re seeing an increase in prescriptions for antibiotics, particularly for children, and it’s time to look at what this means for our families, our communities, and our future.
What is antibiotic resistance?
When antibiotics are used too often or incorrectly, bacteria adapt and become resistant. This process can lead to “superbugs” – bacteria that are harder to treat, requiring stronger or more complex antibiotics, which often come with more side effects and longer recovery times. Antibiotic resistance is happening worldwide, and it’s one of the most significant threats to public health.
Locally, we’re looking into the increase in the number of antibiotics prescribed to children. Two of the three areas in England with the highest antibiotic prescription rates for children are in mid and south Essex. Southend has the highest antibiotic prescription rates for children, with 9 out of 10 children aged 0-9 prescribed antibiotics in the last year, where the national average is just over half of children. This was closely followed by Castlepoint and Rochford, at 8 out of 10 children.
While antibiotics are sometimes the best course of action, we are working to ensure that each prescription is issued only when truly necessary, to avoid antibiotic resistance.
Are antibiotics the right answer for your child?
In children, antibiotics are commonly prescribed for conditions like ear infections, sore throats, or coughs. However, many of these infections are caused by viruses rather than bacteria, meaning antibiotics won’t be effective.
The best approach often involves letting the body’s immune system do the work and providing supportive care like rest, fluids, and medicines to reduce fever.
If antibiotics are used when they aren’t needed, it increases the risk of antibiotic resistance in our communities and can contribute to health problems in future. Taking antibiotics can also cause side effects such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea, so taking them when they are not required puts you at risk of unnecessary side effects.
Our commitment in mid and south Essex is to empower families with the knowledge and confidence to know when antibiotics might help, and when other supportive care will be the best remedy.
Preventing illnesses
One of the most effective ways to reduce antibiotic use is to prevent infections from happening in the first place. Good infection prevention not only protects children but also stops bacteria from spreading to others, helping to keep our whole community healthier. Here’s how you can help at home:
- Encourage regular handwashing: Washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds is one of the best defences against germs. Make it fun for children by singing a song while they wash.
- Teach cough and sneeze etiquette: Remind children to cover their mouth and nose with a tissue or their elbow (not their hands) when they cough or sneeze. This can prevent germs from spreading in classrooms or at home.
- Maintain clean surfaces: Regularly clean frequently touched surfaces like door handles, light switches, and toys. Bacteria can survive on surfaces for hours, making regular cleaning an important habit.
- Keep shared spaces well-ventilated: Fresh air circulation can help reduce the concentration of airborne bacteria, especially in areas where people are gathering.
- Consider keeping your child at home when they are unwell: The NHS website has a handy guide to know whether they should go to school or stay at home until they are feeling better, to prevent spreading bacteria or viruses
- Stay up-to-date on vaccinations: Vaccines are one of the most powerful tools we have to prevent bacterial infections like meningitis, pneumonia, and whooping cough, reducing the need for antibiotics. Speak with your GP team or health visitor about what’s recommended for your child.
Work with your healthcare professional
Healthcare professionals play a crucial role in deciding whether antibiotics are necessary for your child’s condition.
- Discuss what is best for your child: It can be tempting to expect antibiotics for every illness, but it’s essential to trust the advice and judgement. Taking antibiotics can cause side effects such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea, so taking them when they are not required puts you at risk of unnecessary side effects.
- Ask questions: If the healthcare professional advises against antibiotics, ask why. Understanding the reasoning will help you feel more confident in their decision.
- Describe your child’s symptoms fully: Be clear and detailed when explaining your child’s symptoms, including how long they’ve been unwell. This helps to assess whether a bacterial infection is likely, and when antibiotics should be started to treat the bacterial infection.
- Take antibiotics as prescribed: if you are prescribed antibiotics, it is essential that you complete the full course as prescribed. Do not share antibiotics with others, even if they have the same symptoms as you. If you have any antibiotics left at the end of the course, take the left over medicine to a local community pharmacy for safe disposal.
- Using the right type of antibiotic: Penicillin is a commonly used antibiotic, and many people who take it experience side effects such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea, but these should not be mistaken for allergy. If you are not sure whether your child are allergic to penicillin, speak to your healthcare professional about the symptoms that were experienced when the penicillin was taken. Avoiding penicillin if you require antibiotics, when you do not have an ‘allergy’ can cause problems for your child and contribute to antibiotic resistance.
The health and safety of children in our community is our highest priority, and this Antibiotic Resistance Week, we’re asking for your help. Let’s work together to ensure antibiotics remain a powerful tool for those who genuinely need them.
Making careful choices about when and how antibiotics are prescribed will protect future generations and keep our children healthy.
Visit our antibiotic resistance page for more information