How should antibiotics be used in common preschool infections to promote stewardship?

• A. Prescribe broad-spectrum antibiotics for any fever.
• B. Avoid antibiotics entirely.
• C. Use antibiotics for all respiratory infections to prevent complications.
• D. Reserve antibiotics for bacterial infections or confirmed cases; avoid unnecessary antibiotics; complete prescribed course when indicated.

Answer: (D)

Antibiotic stewardship means using antibiotics only when there’s a real likelihood of bacterial infection and doing so in a way that minimizes harm and resistance. In preschoolers, many common illnesses are viral and will not improve with antibiotics, so giving antibiotics in these cases just exposes kids to side effects and contributes to antibiotic resistance without benefit. The best approach is to reserve antibiotics for bacterial infections or when a bacterial cause is confirmed or highly suspected, and to use the right drug and dose for the correct duration. When antibiotics are indicated, families should complete the prescribed course to ensure the infection is fully treated and to reduce resistance risk. Avoid treating every fever or every respiratory illness with antibiotics or using them to prevent potential complications; that practice leads to unnecessary exposure and resistance.