Principles in antimicrobial therapy - Pediatric Infectious Disease ...

Step 7. Consider target attainment
• In treating any child, the practitioner must
assess the seriousness of the infection, and
the risk or injury or death if the antibiotic is
not effective.
– Infections that are bothersome (e.g., impetigo)
but non-life-threatening, a cure rate of 70-80%
with a safe and inexpensive antibiotic is
acceptable, especially if alternative is using a drug
with a 98% success rate but has excessive risk of
toxicity or high cost.