Gastroenteritis in children: why not antibiotics?

[marrychoo]

My 2-year-old son had few episodes of diarrhea few days ago and I brought him to see a child specialist and he diagnosed my son to have acute gastroenteritis. However, the child specialist did not prescribe antibiotics for my son and when I asked why, he answered antibiotics is not indicated and refused to give me further details.

I was very upset. May I know why did him make the decision not to prescribe antibiotics? 

[Admin]

this is because most cases of acute gastroenteritis are due to viruses and are self-limiting. Antibiotics cannot kill viruses. May be your son's clinical features did not suggest bacteial causes, therefore, the doctor did not prescribe antibiotics.

[amanda]

even in bacterial gastroenteritis, antibiotics are not usually indicated. antibiotics may only prolong the duration of diarrhoea.