AIBU to expect the doctor to give me antibiotics for my 3 year old who has had bad cough and cold for 5 weeks?

[isleangel]

My 3 year old took the cold in the 1st week of September. His nose has run constantly and he has developed a bad cough which is getting worse and has kept him awake every night for the last 4 weeks. I don't like using antibiotics, which is why I left him until last week to take him to the doctor, but the doctor said that antibiotics wouldn't make any difference after this length of time and instead presribed him prition syrup to dry up his nose. This hasn't helped and I know its not an allergy, as his brother had exactly the same thing only his cleared up after a week. AIBU and if I'm not how to I get him antibiotics now?

yabu to expect antibiotics if they are not needed. yanbu to go back to the dr and try to find a solution. some colds just linger and linger as you seem to be worn out from fighting one, you pick up another.

it is best to be specific about when you need to come back, what symptoms that would mean you are to take him back and how long before you expect to see a recovery.

OP - I think you are right to worry about your DS
.

Its utterly exhausting when they are ill -my DS had a cough/cold almost ermanently when he was about 18 months and it did on a couple of occasions develop into a chest /ear infection.
If you are still worried -go back and explain your concerns.
A couple of things helped my DS-reducing the amount of milk he had at bedtime seemed to reduce the mucus and some calpol to reduce the inflammation.

Why on earth someone would think a concerned mother "deserves a pasting" is quite beyond me -
< passes OP a >

Thanks ScaredTEECat for your advice, and mrsmellow he is on 4 puffs twice daily of the brown, with 1 puff of the blue 5 minutes before to open his airways. thanks for the other information. I will take him back to the doctor this week and ask what else can be done.

Perhaps would have been better to post this in childrens health OP ?

Indeed, Sarah.

I hope your ds feels better soon isleangel.

I think AIBU should be scrapped - people just see it a excuse to be nasty.

Isleangel - have you tried echinacea and a multivitamin supplement? They might help to support his immune system so it can throw off this virus. It might also help (forgive me if you already do this or it has already been mentioned) to put a damp towel on his radiator, or buy one of those machines that generate steam to counteract a dry atmosphere (am very very dim this morning - know this thing has a name - cannot for the life of me remember it), as a dry atmosphere might be exacerbating his cough.

Humidifier - that's the word I was searching for.

YNBU isleangel take him back, ask to see another doctor and tell them you expected it to clear after 5weeks. As a mother of an asthmatic child myself I know just how quickly colds can turn into chest infections, recent experience where I was told I was being neurotic on the wednesday & 2 days later, she was on steroids and ab's for a chest infection, given by a different doctor. Did the doctor listen to his chest OP? Never ever doubt yourself mother's always know best x

I agree with what others have said about taking him back. Especially as the cough is getting worse over time. My coughs always last for 3 weeks after a cold, but they dont get worse over that time (and Im not a young child).

At my old surgery (which I loved and was really sad I had to eave when we moved) the doctors always used to tell me to take DD back if I wasn`t happt with her progress after a few days.

I hope you mange to find a solution. Poor you and DS having no sleep.

happy

Get a second opinion.

AT 13 months, my DS had a really nasty cough and cold and his chest was 'rattly'. I took him to the docs and was sent away with a flea in my ear.

3 days later I took him back, saw a different doctor and he was admitted as an emergency to the childrens' ward of the local hospital with pneumonia. He spent 3 days on oxygen and IV antibiotics

Thanks SDTGis - he is on a mutlivitamin, but I've never tried him on echinacea, I might start though if this problem keeps going. Also I don't have a humidifier, but sometimes I put a bowl of water on the windowsill above the radiator, so that might work the same. Thanks Sarah for the mug of tea, feel quite exhausted. thanks electra for sticking up for me. Didn't mean to start world war 3, but not thinking straight!

I'm all in favour of pharmaceuticals, but it is also worth seeing if he improves with a long hot steamy bath or shower (probably will)

If so, the old "basin of hot water with a towel over your head" really does work, and if you need it often, you can buy a facial steamer (also clears the skin) quite cheaply.

When doc first recommended this i thought it was an old wives tale, but it really does work.

Some people like to put smelly herbs and oils in the water, but it's actually the steam that does the good.

If you've on;y seen the GP once, go back again. I'd ask about help to control the asthma too - asthma can be triggered by cold viruses.

Nothing wrong with going bakc again and saying you are still concerned.

Pharmaceuticals are only any good if they are going to be effective against whatever is causing the infection, PigletJohn. Viruses aren't killed by antibiotics, and over use of antibiotics has led to an increasing number of bacteria becoming antibiotic-resistant, so the infections they cause are far, far harder to treat - like MRSA, which is a huge problem in hospitals.

You are spot on about the steam inhalations.

I know that antibiotics don't affect virus. Perhaps I should have added "when appropriate" but it didn't seem necessary.

I meant that I am not a new-age anti-science person who won't use drugs or vaccines.

electra Sun 09-Oct-11 11:28:31

I think AIBU should be scrapped - people just see it a excuse to be nasty

If you can't take opinions that differ from and are juxtaposed to your own then you are seriously in the wrong forum. Nethuns, where I believe you get banned for not agreeing with everyone, is somewhere over there --->. Or maybe there

Different opinion is one thing; not bothering to try to understand the op and knee-jerk reactions are another.

please excuse crappy syntax/grammar.

Viruses can last for ages. Last Feb me and 2ds had bad cough that lasted for 5 weeks (we are all usually very fit and healthy) mine developed into a chest infection and so was given antibio- but the boys just had to wait it out. Steaming does help with the breathing and if it is not getting worse your best bet is lots of vit c and hugs. The Dr had seen many cases of this virus in the area and knew what he was doing. No lasting affects to me or the boys. Sorry for your poorly child.

Can I just thank everyone for their kind messages. I took my Ds to the doctors again this morning after a really bad night last night, and doctor did prescribe antibiotics as he discovered this morning that my ds has a bad case of tonsillitis. Just to say that if you think there is something wrong, always trust your instincts.

In the circumstances and with a phlegmy cough that isn't shifting I'd persevere for the antibiotics as chest infections can take hold. If its a dry cough but he's had it for weeks I'd be wanting something like steroid inhaler for him to give him some relief.

So yes go back.

Oh! I'm too slow! You did go back! Hope he's on the mend soon.