Parent Resources

Antibiotic Do's and Don'ts

Take antibiotics ONLY when a doctor tells you to and take them exactly as prescribed.

If antibiotics are the best treatment when you're sick:

Take them exactly as prescribed.
Do not share your antibiotics with others.
Do not save them for later. Taking the wrong medicine for a future illness may delay correct treatment and can cause severe side effects.
Do not take antibiotics prescribed for someone else. This may delay the best treatment for you, make you even sicker or cause side effects.

Antibiotics ONLY treat certain infections caused by bacteria, such as:

(Note: Some infections caused by bacteria can still get better without antibiotics. You may not need antibiotics for some common bacterial infections, including many sinus infections and some ear infections.)

Antibiotics DO NOT work on viruses and will not make you feel better if you have a virus.

Viruses germs are different from bacteria. Antibiotics do not treat infections caused by viruses such as those that cause:

Colds and runny noses, even if the mucus is thick, yellow or green
Most sore throats (except strep throat)
Flu
Most cases of chest colds (bronchitis)

Talk to a healthcare provider about side effects of antibiotics

If a healthcare professional determines that you need antibiotics, the benefits usually outweigh the risks of side effects and antimicrobial resistance. Common side effects of antibiotics range from minor to very severe health problems and can include:

Rash
Dizziness
Nausea
Diarrhea
Yeast infections

More serious side effects can include:

C. diff infection, which causes diarrhea that can lead to severe colon damage and deaths.
Severe and life-threatening allergic reactions
Antimicrobial-resistant infections

Children and side effects‎‎

In children, side effects from antibiotics are the most common cause of medication-related emergency department visits.

Call a healthcare professional if you or your child develop any side effects while taking an antibiotic.

Disposal of medicines

For any expired or unused antibiotics:

Dispose through drug take-back programs, often located within community pharmacies.
Place in a plastic bag with dirt, kitty litter or used coffee grounds and throw away in the household trash.

Talk to a pharmacist about safely discarding leftover medicines. See helpful tips on how to safely throw away unused medications.

Reference:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Asthma & Allergies

Car Safety - Car Seats

Concussion Resources

If your child is sent home with a possible concussion or you are concerned they may have a concussion, make an appointment with a healthcare provider as soon as possible.

*Keep the appointment even if your child starts to feel better. Your child’s doctor will track their recovery and advise on their safe return to school, play, and sport activities.

Links to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (CHOA) concussion resources:

Pediatric Concussion Resources

Caring for your child with a concussion

Mild head injury and concussion - Return-to-learn and return-to-play & sports guidelines

Concussion Prevention in Kids and Teens

What is a concussion?

A concussion is an injury to the brain. It can be caused by a blow or bump to or around the head. This causes the brain to move inside the skull, which can change how the brain works or processes information.

It’s estimated that 1.6 to 3.8 million concussions occur every year—many of those go unreported or unnoticed.
Boys and girls respond differently to concussions. On average, girls take a few days longer to recover than boys.
Younger athletes typically take longer to recover from concussions than older athletes.
Of any sport, football carries the highest risk of concussion. Next is soccer and basketball. As lacrosse grows in popularity, it may account for a significant number of concussions as well.

Signs and Symptoms of a concussion:

Any head injury your child receives should be taken seriously regardless of the activity or age of the child. It’s important to be observant, understand the signs and symptoms of a concussion, err on the side of safety and trust your gut. When in doubt, call your child’s doctor.

There are many different ways a concussion can show itself. Your child may exhibit just one or two symptoms, or quite a few. You might not even see any symptoms until a few days after the injury.