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Original poster

Toddler with tonsillitis refusing antibiotics

89 replies

lunepremiere79 · 13/11/2021 07:33

Hi all, posting here for traffic and hoping to get some advice. My 2.5 yo DD has come down with tonsillitis and got prescribed antibiotics (penicillin) last night but doesn't like the taste and most of it she spits right out. I 've tried the syringe and the spoon, haven't tried the juice yet, but will do later today once I get some. Any other tips for how to entice her to take the medicine? Thanks! x

OP posts:
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AnOldCynic · 15/03/2025 11:02

@Judgejudysno1fani can’t remember, possibly. He was in hospital with an asthma attack if that’s any help? She just added the cordial to the small plastic medicine cup the steroids were dosed into.

TheatreTraveller · 15/03/2025 10:36

Just mix it with fromage frais.

Judgejudysno1fan · 15/03/2025 10:22

AnOldCynic · 13/11/2021 07:52

Mix it with undiluted cordial. Nurse did that with some hideous steroids DS had to take when he was tiny.

Was that prednisone. Please?

GreenLunchBox · 15/11/2021 11:25

Oh no! But glad to hear DC is perking up

Original poster
lunepremiere79 · 14/11/2021 21:27

@GreenLunchBox

Interested to know if the Clarithromycin was any better *@lunepremiere79*
No real update unfortunately. Turns out the out of hours GP messed up the dosage - the pharmacist questioned it and I had to call 111 again who got the GP to call me back. He is sending the correct dosage out to the pharmacy, so I can pick up tomorrow, but she was already looking better today, still a bit of a cough but much more energetic. She might be back to normal tomorrow by the time the drugs are ready!
OP posts:
GreenLunchBox · 14/11/2021 21:14

Interested to know if the Clarithromycin was any better @lunepremiere79

DreamsOfWaves · 13/11/2021 18:36

I haven't read the thread but try mixing into a square of melted chocolate and then feed with a spoon if all else fails.

Etonmessisyum · 13/11/2021 16:31

If you’re going to put it in something make it a small amount as you can so you know she’s taken all the meds. We used strong pure orange juice. The orange pen v is particularly disgusting and the after taste is awful - I’m a nurse so regularly have to give kids meds and it’s difficult with little ones I’ve had it spat all over me numerous times. I squeeze it into cheek and gently blow (or get parent to do it) chase it with something nice.

I did have a parent screaming at me once that they should make meds more tasty and there should be an easier way to give inhalers, I get it, I’ve had to give both to my own kids and it’s hard when they won’t comply. My son was very poorly in Florida years ago and got bubblegum amoxicillin and it was lovely. So it can be done.

LadyJaye · 13/11/2021 16:26

I lived in France for a while, and while I found it a bit embarrassing initially that French doctors seem so quick to prescribe anal suppositories, they're actually so much more effective and you do get used to it.

I do say that as a childfree adult, though. Not sure how it would work with kids...

Boombastic22 · 13/11/2021 16:23

Tonsilitis doesn’t always respond to antibiotics at all (depends if it’s actually bacterial). It may do nothing..

Redarrow2017 · 13/11/2021 16:21

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Abitlost2 · 13/11/2021 16:19

Apologies for typos

Abitlost2 · 13/11/2021 16:18

I meant to say once when i had it and decided to not treat it , i ended up with quinsy throat and was v v ill.
Ny symptoms were v high temp, unable to swallow, v bad breath and white streaky marks on throat. My gps are youbg, excellent and only give antibioticss when nessesary.

Abitlost2 · 13/11/2021 16:16

Thankfully me and my dcs rarely get it but when i have I didn't treat it with antibiotics and I became really ill with quinsy throat so in some cases ( viral in general) it can be mild and in others serious.

CrabbyCat · 13/11/2021 15:51

It sounds like for some tonsillitis is a mild illness, even if it's bacterial?

For my DC, across 2 of them as toddlers it's been a sudden onset really serious illness that has had us sent to hospital by the GP and spending 6 plus hours there until they were sure the antibiotics were helping (their throats were so bad they'd stopped drinking, with fevers over 40 C and elevated heart and breathing rates). I find it hard to believe they would really have got better within a day or two without the antibiotics as suggested by some posters?

PaddingtonsHat · 13/11/2021 15:43

There isn’t a ‘trend’ for refusing antibiotics.
There is a place for clinical risk scores (see CENTOR or FEVERPAIN) safety netting appropriately and not prescribing if not clinically indicated at that time.

purplesequins · 13/11/2021 15:35

@Abitlost2

Bacterial tonsillitis isnt just a bad sore throat. I genuinely don't think people understand what it is.. I have had sore throats where my tonsils are swollen and i am ill but just rested and rode it out. Bacterial tonsillitis is v v different and can be very damaging if left to progress
tonsillitis in most cases does not require treatment. it will go away on it's own after a few day. no matter if the cause is bacterial or viral.

only if it doesn't go away on it's own after 3-4 days or if the patient can't drink or has breathing issues with the infection should a gp consider treatment with antibiotics.
usually symptomatic treatment (pain relief) and rest it all it takes to help your body recover from an infection.

gp's sadly are often too quick to prescribe antibiotics. even if they are not (yet) needed or would not work (viral infection).

dontletthemugglesgetyoudownn · 13/11/2021 15:29

I mean it's either get her to take the antibiotics or have her admitted to hospital for iv antibiotics through a cannula. Those are your two options. Just syringe it in. She needs it

Itsjustrenee · 13/11/2021 15:20

@lunepremiere79

She will happily take Calpol/Nurofen but not the penicillin. It doesn't seem like she is in pain right now, she is playing with toys etc, but I am concerned that we don't be able to finish the 10 day course as prescribed (4 times a day at 5ml)... Not sure it's something to be concerned about or if there is an alternative. Will this clear up on its own?
5ml is nothing. Syringe it in bit by bit, so it’s too small an amount to be able to spit out. Hope she’s feeling better soon. Tonsillitis is awful so I wouldn’t miss giving it her.
GreenLunchBox · 13/11/2021 15:16

@lunepremiere79

Thanks for the tips everyone!

GreenLunchBox I've just called 111 and they prescribed Clarithromycin - crossing fingers this works better!

Yayyyyyy! I'm glad you got through so quickly. Please let us know how you get on
Acommonreader · 13/11/2021 15:13

I’ve mixed the dreaded penicillin with lots of lemon curd before and squirted it in! It’s a horrible tasting medicine but as others say, needs to be taken. Good luck!

Abitlost2 · 13/11/2021 14:05

Zinc, echinesa, garlic and anti-bacterial mouthwash -I use all these to ward infections off and me and my dcs dont get it anymore. Touch wood!!!

Abitlost2 · 13/11/2021 13:57

Bacterial tonsillitis isnt just a bad sore throat. I genuinely don't think people understand what it is.. I have had sore throats where my tonsils are swollen and i am ill but just rested and rode it out. Bacterial tonsillitis is v v different and can be very damaging if left to progress

cherrypie66 · 13/11/2021 13:44

@lunepremiere79

She will happily take Calpol/Nurofen but not the penicillin. It doesn't seem like she is in pain right now, she is playing with toys etc, but I am concerned that we don't be able to finish the 10 day course as prescribed (4 times a day at 5ml)... Not sure it's something to be concerned about or if there is an alternative. Will this clear up on its own?
You can mix it in with calpol
TheLastLonelyBakedBean · 13/11/2021 13:29

@madroid

Yes there is a trend for both refusing antibiotics and refusing tonsillectomy. I had Quinsy as a teenager and finally a late tonsillectomy, and now my DC are prone to bad bacterial tonsillitis and ear infections as I was and it feels like for the minority who do have it badly we are just left to suffer. I am not sure what the answer is though.

I'm sorry your little one was so ill that must have been really frightening for you. Is he all better now?