How (not) to use antibiotics

Why it's Best to Use Antibiotics Only in Truly Serious Cases

As parents, we want the best for our children – fast relief, quick healing, and a return to joy. When a child has a fever, cough, is tired or restless, it's natural to feel concerned. But it's precisely in these moments that it's important to understand what's really happening in the body.

From the perspective of holistic and anthroposophic medicine, illness – especially a common infection – is a sign that the body is trying to restore balance. This may be triggered by common bacteria or viruses, but also by internal imbalance, overload, stress, or developmental tension. Fever, coughing, nasal discharge, and fatigue are natural defense mechanisms showing that the immune system is working. The goal is not to suppress these symptoms right away, but to support the body so it can overcome the challenge on its own.

In these situations, antibiotics are often not necessary. And more importantly – giving them can actually weaken the body's natural healing process. The body no longer needs to "fight on its own" – and while symptoms may subside quickly, the invisible battle that was supposed to take place remains unfinished. In children, this may lead to more frequent recurrence of illnesses or the appearance of symptoms on a different level – such as in digestion, mood, or immune function.

Additionally, antibiotics destroy the beneficial bacteria in the gut, which are essential for strong immunity, healthy digestion, and even a child's mood and emotional balance. Disruption of the gut microbiome can lead to problems like recurring diarrhea, eczema, allergies, restlessness, or weakened resistance to illness.

And finally – we are facing a global problem of increasing antibiotic resistance. Many bacteria are becoming "untreatable" because they've learned to survive even in the presence of antibiotics. This resistance arises especially where antibiotics are overused or used unnecessarily.

That's why it's important to know that:

• Not every fever means antibiotics are needed,

• Not every cough is caused by bacteria,

• And many childhood infections heal with the body's own resources and proper care – whether with natural remedies, homeopathy, or simply rest, fluids, and loving presence.

Of course, there are times when antibiotics are necessary and life-saving. But in everyday situations, we don't need to be afraid to give the body time and support the child's inner strength – this way, illness can become an important stage of growth, not just a problem that needs to be "solved quickly."