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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Viruses are good for you

125 replies

Edenviolet · 18/12/2013 20:03

Apparently....

Took ds1 and 2 to gp today. Ds1 for the second time in four weeks and ds2 for the sixth time in four weeks.

Both have had temperatures, coughs, sore throats and earache and have had calpol and nurofen daily for four weeks and still have temperatures. I think they need antibiotics but gp said no then told me that "viruses are good for them, the more they get the stronger their immune system will be"

Utter rubbish.

Viruses are Not good for you. Dd2 got "just a virus" last year and ended up seriously unwell and with diabetes because of it. I am really annoyed that they keep dismissing us and say things like this when in fact viruses can actually cause a lot of harm

OP posts:
TheFarSide · 18/12/2013 20:04

If they have a virus, antibiotics won't help.

Methe · 18/12/2013 20:05

Is it rubbish?

Actual scientific rubbish?

TippiShagpile · 18/12/2013 20:06

Can you get diabetes from a cold virus? Shock

justabigdisco · 18/12/2013 20:06

Viruses don't give you diabetes. Just for info.

Original poster
Edenviolet · 18/12/2013 20:07

I don't think ds2 has a virus he's been really poorly, usually if he has a cold it clears up after a week or so.

Some viruses are harmless I know but for the gp to generalise that viruses are good for dcs to get and will strengthen their immune system is untrue. Dd2 being a good example of what damage a virus can do.

OP posts:
Original poster
Edenviolet · 18/12/2013 20:09

It was the coxsackie virus we were told that caused it. She had been unwell with what we thought was a throat infection, then she had 12 hours of violent vomiting then a week later was diagnosed with diabetes.

Apparently the virus cells are similar to the cells that produce insulin so the body mistakenly destroys them as well.

OP posts:
MummyofIsla · 18/12/2013 20:09

Getting a virus now and then is good for you in the manner that your GP suggested (strengthening the immune system) plus he or she is medically trained so surely would know better when they might need antibiotics.

Antibiotics shouldn't be given willy nilly, that's why there are many illnesses that are becoming immune to them.

www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs194/en/

This explains about antibiotic resistance which is partly accelerated by the misuse of antibiotics.

Nanny0gg · 18/12/2013 20:10

How does a virus give you diabetes?

MummyofIsla · 18/12/2013 20:10

www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs194/en/

Hmm
Nanny0gg · 18/12/2013 20:10

Ah. X-post

Original poster
Edenviolet · 18/12/2013 20:10

As far as I'm concerned they do, if dd hadn't caught the virus she would not have had the immune response that destroyed her insulin producing cells.

OP posts:
AuntieStella · 18/12/2013 20:10

Viruses are often extremely bad for you.

But antibiotics will make absolutely no difference to them, as they work onyl against bacteria not viruses). So your GP was entirely correct to refuse to prescribe.

noblegiraffe · 18/12/2013 20:11

You think they need antibiotics but antibiotics are for bacterial infections not viruses.

BohemianGirl · 18/12/2013 20:11

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by Mumsnet for breaking our Talk Guidelines. Replies may also be deleted.

NatashaBee · 18/12/2013 20:12

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

arethereanyleftatall · 18/12/2013 20:12

If you know more than the doctor, why do you go so often?
I don't know how to link, but suggest you google 'what to do if you get a virus'. It won't say give antibiotics.
Yabvu.

Original poster
Edenviolet · 18/12/2013 20:12

We were told by the doctors in hospital when dd was diagnosed that the cause was a virus.

OP posts:
MummyofIsla · 18/12/2013 20:14

www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/10/131022091721.htm

In all fairness to the OP

Original poster
Edenviolet · 18/12/2013 20:14

I am very aware that anti b won't help a virus but I think ds2 has an infection as temperature has been prolonged and he is no better after four weeks.

OP posts:
BerylStreep · 18/12/2013 20:14

Sorry to hear about your DD - how did she end with diabetes from a virus? I didn't know that could happen.

I know there is a school of thought that lack of exposure to germs can cause auto immune diseases because it's thought that the immune system doesn't have enough to occupy it (seriously non medical explanation), however whilst I am fairly laissez faire about germs in general (minimum 5 second rule in our house), I do try my best to avoid colds etc with lots of hand washing.

I remember being seriously pissed off when my MIL started spouting rubbish about it being A Good Thing that my DC had both developed scarlet fever, especially when my DS had a compromised immune system with neutropenia.

Unfortunately there isn't much you can do if they already have infections except to ride it out. Poor things, it can be miserable.

TwistedRib · 18/12/2013 20:15

What did you want the doctor to do OP? There isn't a medicine or cure for the viruses that cause general cough/cold/sore throat symptoms.
You do just have to let the body's immune system do its job, I'm afraid.

MinesAPintOfTea · 18/12/2013 20:16

The reason hiv and viral meningitis are so bad is because antibiotics don't work against them. They also illustrate beautifully why its not "just".a virus. Its just that the doctor can't hello with most viruses, only symptom relief.

justabigdisco · 18/12/2013 20:17

Ok fair enough on the diabetes thing - although that is far from proven, I'm surprised you were told that was the cause.

starkadder · 18/12/2013 20:17

I think calling the OP an idiot is uncalled for and quite rude. Presumably she knows why her daughter has diabetes. A 2 second google search confirms her statement anyway - en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coxsackie_B_virus.

OP - I think it must be scary; given what happened to your daughter. But antibiotics might also cause more harm than good in this situation. Hope your DCs all feel better soon.

AuntieStella · 18/12/2013 20:18

Viruses can cause a fever, and can hang around for weeks.

Why do you think your doctor is wrong about the causative microbe?