Prevent Antibiotics: Take a Natural Approach to Boost Your Child's Immunity

Antibiotics cause some negative health effects, as well as positive. Dr Benita Perch shares the steps you can take to prevent your child's need for antibiotics.

About this time of year, we start to see more cases of colds, coughs, flu and other illnesses that become increasingly common over the winter months. Living in Hong Kong, and the combined factors of pollution, a dense population, stressful living, rapid weather changes and the overuse of medications can leave children susceptible to illnesses.

Antibiotics are a common prescription and although effective at killing off some bacteria they are of no use against colds.

Did you know that antibiotics can compromise our immunity because they wipe out the good flora in the intestines, which forms an integral part of our immune system? 

While your child may seem to get better with each course of antibiotics, his or her immune system actually becomes weaker, making it more likely that they will pick up the next bug at school or in the playground.

Then, you find yourself in the vicious cycle of reaching for more antibiotics to overcome the next illness. Research has also shown that infections recur two to three times more often after antibiotic treatments.

Antibiotic resistance has become an increasing concern with the overuse of antibiotics. Margaret Chan, Director-General of The World Health Organization, warned in 2015 of a global health crisis from antibiotic resistance from which we could be facing the “end of modern medicine as we know it.”

Natural medicine to boost immunity

In natural medicine most illnesses can effectively be treated without compromising our body’s immunity and causing antibiotic resistance.

Natural medicine is often associated with treating chronic conditions but if used correctly, it can also offer powerful and effective treatments for acute illnesses, like colds. At IMI, we make individual diagnosis of your child’s presenting symptoms; considering their history to find the root cause. 

Some of these root causes may include food intolerances, which can lead to weakened immunity. As well as identifying root causes, boosting their natural immunity is also supported by the use of potent medicinal herbs, clinical grade supplements including vitamin D, fish oils and many more.

As well as supplementation, therapies such as osteopathy can be incredibly effective for supporting recovery and healing. Even if your child has a simple cold or cough, gentle techniques can help to support their lymphatic and respiratory system, alleviating symptoms and speeding their recovery. 

Homeopathy is also another excellent modality to boost immunity, which children respond exceptionally well to.

Individualised treatments work best

To rebuild your child’s immunity, natural treatments are prescribed based on individual needs, treating each patient’s unique symptoms (and their constitution and history). 

This is far better than over-the-counter preparations, which are less effective and can often be a waste of money. The frequency, dosage and quality of the remedies are all important when treating acute illnesses. 

I recently treated an 8 year old boy, Jake, for low immunity. Jake’s mom brought him to see me after he came down with yet another illness and she did not want him to endure another course of antibiotics. She also felt that his mood and behaviour was affected from being sick so often.

To rebuild Jake’s immunity, I prescribed a specific homeopathic remedy and a blend of probiotics, fish oil, zinc and a gastro intestinal repair formula to heal his gut lining, which had been damaged by all the antibiotics he had been taking. I also recommended removing dairy from his diet, as it can inhibit your immune response. 

Three weeks later, Jake’s health had improved and he was more active again. I continued to see Jake over the next few months and his immunity, physical and emotional health continued to improve. If he did pick up a cold, he bounced back quickly. His mum says he is doing great and has not been sick for months. He is even back to being able to have dairy occasionally.

Prevention of illnesses and building long-term immunity

A strong immune system is vital for children, not only in defending against common bugs but to support them through the key stages of growth and development. 

Having a balanced diet is very important to building long-term immunity. However, with deteriorating soil quality, imported foods, and the added environmental stressors of living in a city such as Hong Kong, it is very difficult to achieve adequate nutrients from diet alone. Good quality supplements are fast becoming a necessity to build a strong immune system.

If you’d like to boost your child’s natural immunity, book a consultation with Dr. Perch today!