It is extremely important to complete the course of treatment as instructed.  Do not stop giving medication because the child feels better in a day or two.

Give the antibiotic as directed.  If the instructions say 3 times a day, try to make it as close to every eight hours as you can.  If the instructions say 4 times a day, try to make it as close to every 6 hours as you can.  You should use an accurate measuring spoon or a device to measure medication to give the proper dosage.

If there is fever or pain, continue giving Aspirin-free medication (like Tylenol or Tempra) until these symptoms are relieved.

Do not give an antibiotic prescribed for one child to another child.

Report to your doctor the development of diarrhea or a skin rash.  These may or may not be due to the medication.  It is harmful for a child to be needlessly labeled as being allergic to a medication.

If an antibiotic is to be refrigerated, store the antibiotic at the back of the refrigerator, out of the reach of children.  Shake the bottle well before giving each dose to make sure the antibiotic which settles to the bottom is well mixed.

Discard unused liquid antibiotic after 14 days, because it loses its effectiveness.

Keep your return appointment so your child's infection can be rechecked to make sure no further treatment is needed.  This is especially important when children have recurrent ear infections.
Antibiotic Treatment
Antibiotic Treatment
Antibiotics stop the growth or kill disease causing germs.  An antibiotic has been pescribed for your child to treat a bacterial infection.  Antibiotics will not treat diseases caused by viruses.
Use of antibiotics
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