“Are antibiotics safe for a 9 year old?”
My 9 year old daughter was prescribed antibiotics yesterday. Are antibiotics safe for a 9 year old?
4 Answers
Antibiotics are safe, but the question should be what is being treated with antibiotics. Studies show that many people are prescribed antibiotics when in fact they have a viral infection which is not treated with antibiotics.
As long as they are the right dose, and your child isn’t allergic to that antibiotic, they should be safe. There are a couple of classes of antibiotics that are less safe for children, but most providers shouldn’t be prescribing these. Antibiotics can kill the good bacteria in our intestines and cause upset stomach and diarrhea. Eating yogurt and/or taking a probiotic while taking antibiotics can minimize these effects.
In general, antibiotics are “safe” to take at any age. If there is a clear bacterial infection present that needs to be treated, it is beneficial to give the antibiotic. All medicines carry the risk of side effects or allergy, but these occur less commonly. If you observe any reactions or intolerable side effects, call your doctor to let them know.
Most 9-year-olds can take most antibiotics, but it can decrease normal gut bacteria and cause yeast. You can want to give with probiotics. There is always the risk of antibiotic allergy that is rare.
