Intravenous or IV means given into a vein. Some infections need to be treated with IV antibiotics rather than antibiotics taken by mouth. Home IV antibiotics are sometimes given after a child has started treatment at the hospital and is well enough to go home. Home IV antibiotics allow a child to get the best treatment for the infection while being comfortable at home, enjoying many of their normal activities and routines.

You'll have help with your child's IV antibiotics from a home care company. Often, home antibiotics are given through a type of IV catheter called a peripherally inserted central catheter, or PICC line. It's much longer than a regular IV catheter and goes all the way up to a vein near the heart or to just inside the heart. Usually, a home care nurse changes the PICC line dressing and does any lab work your doctor has ordered. The nurse will also check the area around the PICC line for any signs of infection.

• Follow the health care team's instructions for how and when to give the antibiotics. If your child has a PICC line, these will include recommendations for:
  • when and how to flush the line
  • what to do if the line gets blocked or comes out
  • which physical activities are OK for your child (most kids with a PICC line need to avoid rough play and contact sports)
  • how often to change the dressing (a type of bandage). If the home care nurse will be changing the dressing, call if it gets wet or dirty or comes off.
  • how to protect the line while your child bathes
  • how to know if there is an infection
• Wash and dry your hands well before giving the antibiotics.
• Give your child all the antibiotic doses as prescribed, even if they're feeling better. This is the best way to kill all the harmful bacteria.

• Your child:
  • develops a fever
  • has diarrhea
  • develops swelling of the arm, neck, or face
  • looks sicker to you
  • has new symptoms
• The area around the PICC line is red, tender, or warm.
• There's any bleeding or other fluid leaking around the PICC line.
• There are any problems with the PICC line.

Your child has pain in the chest, shoulder, arm, hand, or neck.

Call 911 if your child has trouble breathing or their skin looks bluish.

Will the PICC line affect my child's daily activities? You'll need to get the OK from your health care provider about when your child can safely return to school, extracurricular activities, and sports. Your child will need to keep the dressing clean, dry, and protected. Aside from these precautions, it will not affect your child's daily activities.