Background:
Both doctors overusing antibiotics and patients not adhering to the rational antibiotic therapy principles contribute to the problem of growing bacterial resistance.

Aim:
Verification of knowledge and behavior of parents in the antibiotic therapy in children.

Material and methods:
A questionnaire for parents of children from 2 months to 18 years conducted in nurseries, preschools and schools and completed on-line.

Results:
The analysis included 634 questionnaires (138 on-line). The 33.6% of respondents did not know the indications for antibiotic use. The 32% of respondents could not define the most common source of upper respiratory tract infections (URTI). Most parents declared high level of trust in doctors (67%) and 32% of respondents verify doctor's decision on the Internet. Most parents adhere to doctors’ orders, but 9.7% of parents reported ceasing child's antibiotic therapy due to an early symptoms relief. The 14.3% of respondents at least once demanded application of antibiotic therapy for a child with a desired effect achieved in 77.8%. The 14% of respondents confirmed storing unused antibiotics at home and 4.6% of parents applied antibiotics without consulting a doctor.

Conclusions:
Parents either do not know or insufficiently understand the purpose of the use of antibiotics in the treatment of children's URTI. Parents trust in a doctor's decision concerning antibiotic therapy, but frequently consult the Internet. Doctors give in to parents’ demands and prescribe antibiotics. Not respecting recommendations and antibiotics “self-treatment” are reprehensible. There is a need of educating parents and doctors in the reasonable use of antibiotics.