How do i know if my baby needs antibiotics?

Not always needed...: An antibiotic is not always needed. Antibiotics get overprescribed and overused way too much. Your child definitely needs to be evaluated if he or she needs one; if it's strep throat, ear infection, pneumonia and UTI are the most common bacterial infections. The majority of infections that we see are unfortunately viral, which the antibiotic won't do anything for.

Your doctor knows: Most infections babies get are viral, which means that antibiotics will not help the baby recover. When your baby is sick, your pediatrician is the best one to tell you if antibiotics will help your baby recover. There is no specific symptom which indicates viral vs. Bacterial infecton.

You may not: It depends on the medical condition. Simple colds resolve on their own.