to be a bit confused by doc's prescription

[NosyRosie]

Took DD (9 months) to doctor (locum) on Monday because she had had a horrible cough all weekend. After listening to her chest he said he could hear fluid in there and she had bronchitis.

He prescribed antibiotics but said I could give it 24 hours to see if she was improving before giving her any.

I didn't like the idea of her taking antibiotics so left it. She has been sounding much better and this morning made another appointment to get him to listen again and see if it sounded better. Couldn't get the same doc but instead got DD's usual one. I explained to her why I was there and she said that according to the notes DD's chest was clear.

Why would the locum tell me she had bronchitis and prescribe antibiotics if her chest was clear?

Seems a bit odd to say bronchitis if there's nothing up other than a nasty cough.

He told you to wait for 24 hrs to see if she improved. Which she did. Therefore you didn't need to use the prescription.

But given her symptoms, she may have been at the very beginnings of a more severe respiratory illness.

If she had not improved and had become more unwell with a temp, then she may have needed the antibiotics. Which you already had a prescription for and would have been able to start immediately if required. Therefore saving you another trip to the GP with an increasingly poorly child. I suspect he was trying to be helpful and pre empting her becoming more poorly.

Ok. Thanks Sassy.

It did worry me though. He didn't explain himself at all and the 24 hour wait was only optional (the way I understood it). He was 25 minutes late seeing us and I felt like he was trying to rush me through so he could make up some time.

I just needed to get it straight in my head.