- Antibiotics are not always necessary to treat pediatric illnesses and should only be used if prescribed by a medical professional.
- Large doses of Vitamin C do not prevent toddlers from getting sick and can even be harmful.
- Giving medication to a child with a fever should not be delayed; it can help ease discomfort and other symptoms.
- Natural remedies are not a replacement for prescribed medicine and should always be discussed with your pediatrician before using them.
Pediatric illnesses can be a scary and overwhelming experience for parents. Unfortunately, many myths about pediatric illness can add to the confusion and worry. These misconceptions range from not understanding how illnesses spread to believing in old wives’ tales about treatments.
Understanding the facts behind these myths is vital to make informed decisions regarding your child’s healthcare needs. This article will debunk some of the most common pediatric illness myths and provide evidence-based information on what you should know instead.
Medication myths
Here are some myths about giving medication to children that need to be debunked:
All pediatric illnesses require antibiotics.
It is essential to debunk the common myth about a pediatric illness that all pediatric illnesses require antibiotics to treat them. Such a notion is entirely misguided, as many infections are viral and will not respond to antibiotics. Seeking medical advice from a reputable pediatric clinic can help obtain the correct direction, which is essential for adequately managing any illness.
However, some bacterial illnesses may need an antibiotic course, but more often, it is support, rest, and nutrition which are beneficial. Pharmaceutical antibiotics overuse has been linked with increased resistance, so a professional diagnosis and sensible treatment plan should be sought when considering any child’s health.
Too much vitamin C will prevent a child from getting sick.
The popular notion that very high doses of vitamin C can prevent a child from becoming ill is an oft-repeated but misplaced belief. Contrary to this commonly held belief, no evidence taking additional vitamin C will have any significant effect on keeping illness at bay in children. Despite being lauded as almost a miracle cure for any ailment, even large doses of vitamin C do not appear effective for most pediatric illnesses.
While it may well be beneficial for general health and well-being, the reality is that its impact on preventing or reducing the severity of sickness is negligible. Large quantities can be potentially harmful to those with certain medical conditions. Parents should ensure their children consume a balanced diet to ensure adequate levels of essential minerals and vitamins, including vitamin C. You should wait until the fever breaks before giving medication to your child
It is a common misconception that waiting until the fever breaks before giving medication is best. This myth can be detrimental for a few reasons. First, waiting for the fever to break means you will likely allow the illness to continue without intervention. Additionally, depending on the severity of the illness and the length of time it could take for the fever to break, it may worsen symptoms such as pain or discomfort.
Therefore, it is important that you recognize misconceptions such as this and instead focus on factual information. In most cases, a pediatrician will recommend an appropriate dosage of either antipyretics or nonspecific medications as soon as possible to reduce any symptoms your child may be feeling.
Vaccines cause autism or other developmental disorders
Many people have erroneously accepted the myth that vaccines can cause autism or other developmental disorders in children. This misconception is unfortunately still pervasive and needs to be debunked through public education and scientific dialogue.
Indeed, the first signs of developmental disorders such as autism often become noticeable right around the same time children receive a series of vaccinations; however, there is no evidence that vaccines correlate to the emergence of these disorders. Vaccines work on systems such as immunity that are in a separate portion of the human body from those responsible for neurological development.
The only scientifically validated connection between vaccines and psychiatric illness has been a rare type of encephalitis (brain inflammation) caused by the MMR (Measles-Mumps-Rubella) vaccine. Factors beyond vaccination, such as genetics and certain environmental conditions present during childhood, may hold a closer relationship to any developmental disorder emerging over time.
Natural remedies are safer for treating pediatric illness than medicine
Many parents are under the misconception that natural remedies, such as herbs and supplements, are safer for treating pediatric illnesses than medicine. This belief is completely wrong and needs to be debunked.
While natural treatments may have a role in symptom management or prevention of certain conditions, they should not be considered a replacement for prescribed medical care when treating or curing pediatric illnesses.
It’s important to remember that the FDA does not regulate most herbal and supplement products, so consumers can’t be sure what specific ingredients the products contain, nor their safety or effectiveness.
Cold weather causes colds or other illnesses
The common notion that cold weather causes an increase in pediatric illnesses such as colds is a misguided misconception. To clarify, exposure to cold temperatures does not directly lead to contracting a virus or sickness.
The primary cause of a discomfort during wintertime is lower humidity and people spending more time indoors near one another. The increased exposure provides greater opportunities to transfer germs, increasing the likelihood of becoming ill.
Therefore, parents need to recognize the temperatures outside have limited correlation with the spread of sickness in their child and have thorough understandings on best practices for preventing illness like frequent handwashing techniques and ensuring proper hygiene amongst family members.
These are only a few myths surrounding pediatric illnesses, but they are some of the most important ones to recognize and understand. As parents, it is your responsibility to be informed and make sure you are making decisions based on facts instead of hearsay or misinformation.
