Every person encounters infectious organisms throughout the day
in the air, in soil and water, in foods, and on surfaces
everywhere. Fortunately, your child’s immune system is capable
of resisting most of these organisms, keeping her healthy. When
these organisms become a problem and cause an infection, your
pediatrician has a number of medicines that can help your child
get better. Antibacterials are the prescription drugs with which
parents are probably most familiar. Nearly every parent has had
the experience of giving their child a course of antibacterials
for an ear infection or strep throat. Most can name some of the
most common antibacterials—penicillin, amoxicillin,
tetracycline—that have helped their youngster fight off
bacterial infections. Although your child has probably been
given antibacterials more often than other types of infection-
fighting prescription medicines, drugs are also available to
fight certain childhood diseases caused by Fungi (yeasts and
molds) Remember, as important as antibact