You should only use antibiotics prescribed by a doctor; antibiotics should not be used routinely or bought over the counter at the pharmacy.

A prescribed antibiotic has specific indications; not all antibiotics act against all bacteria, and the choice depends on the organ we want to clear of infection.

Basic recommendations for antibiotic use

The exact dose, daily intake, and duration of the antibiotic must be followed precisely. We should not exceed the dose or extend treatment beyond what’s indicated. Fever is a general defense mechanism and is not always associated with bacteria, which is what antibiotics act against.

Let’s try to avoid prolonged or repetitive use of antibiotics. Young children under 2 years old usually get sick 4 to 6 times a year, but most of these times do not require antibiotic use.

What happens with antibiotic use and the gut microbiota?

Damage to the microbiota from antibiotics (and other medications) is called dysbiosis. Dysbiosis disrupts the healthy and necessary microbes in a specific region of the intestine, damaging its function.

• Dysbiosis, by affecting the microbiota, causes it to disappear for weeks, months, or even years depending on the antibiotic used.
• The microbiota is essential for vitamin synthesis, nutrient absorption, the production of healthy fatty acids, the use of minerals by the intestine, and for the body’s protection and defense. All of this is affected during dysbiosis, since the microbiota has been damaged.
• In the medium and long term, changes or damage to the microbiota contribute to inflammatory and metabolic diseases, including obesity, diabetes, colitis, and even colon cancer.
• Damage to the gut microbiota affects the protective barrier, allowing substances to pass into the bloodstream and trigger allergies.

How to protect our children’s gut microbiota

Let’s look at how we can protect our children’s intestinal and overall health by preserving the gut microbiota:

1. Pair the antibiotic with a probiotic: whenever an antibiotic is prescribed, pair it with a probiotic specifically designed to protect the microbiota, using strains that act as a protective shield.
2. Start from day one: use the probiotic from the moment the antibiotic is started, since we need to maintain a sufficient amount of probiotics to balance and preserve a healthy microbiota. A common mistake is to use the probiotic only after finishing the antibiotic.
3. Two daily doses: always use two daily doses of probiotic during that period. Remember that the WHO states «a sufficient amount to…», and this is the amount needed to prevent dysbiosis.
4. Continue the probiotic a few days after: use it for at least 5 to 7 additional days after the end of treatment. These extra days are essential to recover, balance, and strengthen the microbes, their functions, and restore normal intestinal function.
5. Nutritional recovery: if the child lost weight or suffered a nutritional collapse, use probiotics for at least 3 months for nutritional recovery.
6. Yogurt is not enough: fermented preparations like yogurt or kumis with probiotics are insufficient in amount and strain type to protect the microbiota during treatment. Their use is not recommended during antibiotic treatment.

These simple actions will protect your children’s health, especially in childhood. They will protect their intestinal future and, with confidence, prevent the appearance of inflammatory and chronic diseases in adulthood, maintaining intestinal function and improving nutrition, as well as preventing recurrent infections by boosting the defense mechanisms.

Prevention: the best tool

Today, when we are so committed to providing health and protection to our children, prevention is the best tool. When we need to use antibiotics, let’s pair them with probiotics.

Most pediatric physicians understand that probiotic use always goes hand in hand with antibiotic use. If your doctor didn’t recommend probiotics when prescribing antibiotics, seek additional guidance and reliable products designed for children that provide the necessary protection.

Although we emphasized the use of probiotics with antibiotics in pediatrics, this extends and is equally important in adults, especially those with associated diseases, adults over 60 years old, and people suffering from colitis or inflammatory bowel diseases.

Conclusion

Preventing the appearance of disease is the main path to maintaining health, quality of life, and well-being. In these times when we seek to live longer and better, these principles guide us along that path.