As a child specialist, I read with great concern the letter by Heal Thyself.

I totally agree that doctors do over prescribe antibiotics, not only here but all over the world. I am just as worried about patients refusing antibiotics when there is correct indication to do so.

This is illustrated in Heal Thyself's letter with their three-year old daughter. If the child's swelling was due to an infection, what is called cellulitis, then the fact of the matter is that the first doctor they consulted was correct.

A cellulitis over the eyelids or over the face can progress to cavernous sinus trombosis and meningitis. If it was my own daughter, I would have even started intravenous antibiotics (antibiotics given by injections).

The little girl was fortunate to have not developed complications. If the diagnosis was a mosquito bite (without cellulitis) or an allergy, then no antibiotic need is indicated.