This action results in the release of the cell content of the bacteria into our blood stream. The immune system reacts by containing these poisons and secreting them through the lymphatic system.

The lymphatic system consists of a massive web  of vessels (like the blood system) and nodules, where the dead bacteria and white blood cells gather, and of lymph glands, the largest of which are the spleen and the tonsils, where all the cells are broken down and sent, through the blood, to be excreted from the body by the kidneys.

Overuse of antibiotics causes chronic congestion of the lymphatic system and the lymph glands overflow with toxic waste. The immune system reacts by remaining overactive causing such symptoms as :tiredness, paleness, lowered appetite, chronic cough and runny nose ,headaches and ear aches, and general malaise.

The child is no longer sick, but is far from healthy.

In sever cases there might even be a bit of fever in the evenings which disappears every morning.

Medical doctors generally have no definite solutions. Modern drugs are quite capable of killing germs but have no real answers for nursing the immune system back to health.

The general practice of pediatricians is either the "lets wait and see" approach or, conversely, long term antibiotic treatment until all symptoms subside – an approach that ultimately leaves the child weak and unable to combat future illnesses.

 Chinese medicine describes contagious diseases as external wind that carries pathogens into the body. These pathogens are in fact parasites that wish to live off our body´s energy supply.

The body mobilizes the energy of the immune system to combat them.

This fight creates heat and inflammation which are the characteristic signs of disease.

Chinese medicine sees antibiotics as drugs with a very "cooling" energy.

This cooling effect kills the energy of the pathogens (which explains why antibiotics cause some improvement in viral diseases as well) but also hurts the vital energy of the body and the immune system causing weakness and lethargy.

Acupuncture rebalances the flow of energy in the body and enables the immune system to return to its dormant state after combating disease.

In this fashion acupuncture not only helps the body combat disease but also, and even more important, helps the child back to health.

So, bottom line, antibiotics – yes or no?

The answer depends on how bad the disease is.

In acute conditions with high fever and inflammation, sometimes there is no choice but to resort to these strong drugs. But in chronic conditions, when the child "Just isn´t himself anymore", I would strongly advise you to seek help with a qualified acupuncturist.