ARCHIE: The early use of Antibiotics in at Risk CHildren with InfluEnza

Flu (influenza) and flu-like symptoms are among the commonest reasons why parents bring their children to see a GP during winter. Flu vaccination helps protect children against some types (strains) of flu but other types of flu and viruses similar to flu can still cause flu or flu-like illness. Children with underlying medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes and Down’s syndrome are particularly ‘at risk’ to becoming more unwell from bacterial infections if they get flu. 

ARCHIE is a double-blind randomised placebo-controlled trial conducted in primary and secondary care settings which aims to determine whether giving the antibiotic co-amoxiclav to ‘at risk’ children within 5 days of them becoming ill with flu or influenza-like illness might: 1. Help stop them from developing bacterial infections and becoming more unwell. 2. Help them get better more quickly.  3.  Affect how well antibiotics work against similar infections in future.

Trial Registration Details: ISRCTN70714783

Status: Closed to recruitment, publication of results expected 2020.

Publications: https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/8/5/e021144