Health Update: Too many antibiotics

ANTIBIOTIC treatment for coughs, colds, sore throats and other respiratory tract infections in children is often given to guard against more serious conditions such as pneumonia. But such treatment is ineffective and may be harmful, says a World Health Organisation report.

The report says antibiotics are often given to children with coughs and colds because of parental pressure on doctors. But the development of secondary bacterial infections is uncommon, it points out. Giving antibiotics is useless in the case of a viral infection and may be harmful.