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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to not finish DS' antibiotics?

36 replies

Tinkerbellisnotafairy · 10/01/2019 15:25

DS (5yo) was diagnosed with an ear infection at the beginning of the week. His ear had been hurting for about 6 days, which is why we took him to the dr - usually I'm a fan of wait it out as it tends to be viral.

The dr specifically said that the antibiotics he prescribed were not to cure the ear infection, which should clear up on its own, but to prevent any secondary infection.

DS had 2 days of the antibiotics, and then the bottle was left at school, so he was without two or three doses. His ear hadn't hurt at all for over 24 hours so we decided not to give him any more ABs - he's quite sickly so tends to need them fairly often, so I'd rather not give him them when they're not necessary IYSWIM.

My DM kicked off at me, saying that I was jeopardising DS' health, and that I shouldn't argue with what the dr said.

AIBU? Or is she?

OP posts:
Gomyownway · 10/01/2019 15:28

I’m pretty sure they say to always finish a course of antibiotics

Bambamber · 10/01/2019 15:28

YABU

Antibiotics are prescribed for a certain length of time for a reason. If not all the bacteria is killed by that antibiotic, the bacteria can mutate and become immune to that particular antibiotic. That bacteria can then spread and you then have an infection immune to that antibiotic.

If he needs antibiotics fairly frequently, it's even more important that he takes them as prescribed.

JellycatElfie · 10/01/2019 15:29

The problem with having half a course means the bugs can start to die off then become resistant to the bugs if you don’t finish the course. The GP wouldn’t have prescribed them unless they were needed imo!

Witchofthenorth · 10/01/2019 15:29

Yes you should finish the course. Antibiotics clear the symptoms of an infection very quickly so you feel better after a couple of days. But you NEED to finish the course to ensure all the infection has been cleared.

umberellaonesie · 10/01/2019 15:30

Always finish the full.course of antibiotics!!!! This why we are in the situation where we have Antibiotic resistant infection.

PawPawNoodle · 10/01/2019 15:30

Of course you are, if he does have a secondary infection that bacteria will remain in his system snd become immune to that type of antibiotic.

RiverTam · 10/01/2019 15:32

yes, of course you must finish the course.

Trudstrundr2 · 10/01/2019 15:33

Didn't your gp stress the importance of finishing the course due to mutation risk?
Also should consider how to avoid forgetting vital free NHS medicine at school in future.

vivivienne · 10/01/2019 15:33

Yes- antibiotic resistance is a huge problem, don’t contribute towards it

Original poster
Tinkerbellisnotafairy · 10/01/2019 15:33

I thought antibiotic resistant infection was caused by overuse of antibiotics?

OP posts:
PsychologicalSaline · 10/01/2019 15:33

If they are prophylactic (preventative) antibiotics then it shouldn't matter if you don't finish the course if there wasn't a bacterial infection present. Antibiotics don't do anything for viruses.

If a secondary bacterial infection was brewing then you should complete the course as partial exposure to a course of antibiotics can lead to resistance developing. Hard to know where you were with it all so assume it's better to complete the course.

Absofrigginlootly · 10/01/2019 15:37

Yes it’s caused by both. But by not finishing the course and making sure you have killed all the bacteria what you have basically done is immunised that particular strain against that type of antibiotic.

IF your child passes on the bacterial infection then the antibiotic resistant bacteria infects spread

Thank for that HmmConfused

BobbinThreadbare123 · 10/01/2019 15:38

YABU. Finish the course. That's what the doctor said to do, and they are the expert in this situation.

Original poster
Tinkerbellisnotafairy · 10/01/2019 15:39

The GP specifically said it was preventative to ward off any secondary infection, not that there was an infection.

I'm worried now! Should I restart the ABs? DS seems absolutely fine...

OP posts:
Craft1905 · 10/01/2019 15:42

I thought antibiotic resistant infection was caused by overuse of antibiotics?

It is. And it's also caused by underuse...not finishing the course. This acts like a vaccine for the bugs...they get a small dose of antbiotic, but not enough to kill them, but enough to become resistant to future doses!

boomboomshakalack · 10/01/2019 15:42

Finish the prescription.

snowpony · 10/01/2019 15:43

I recently lectured my DH on this as he didn't finish a course but then he sent me the link in my post above (from the NHS). Seems that there is little proof either way, and the only known cause of antibiotic resistance is over use, so on that basis YANBU.

Original poster
Tinkerbellisnotafairy · 10/01/2019 15:44

@Absofrigginlootly -thanks for intimating that I'm single handedly responsible for antibiotic resistant bacteria spreading Hmm

OP posts:
BobTheDuvet · 10/01/2019 15:45

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MothertotheLordsofmisrule · 10/01/2019 15:46

Agree with everyone else, always finish the course.

MakeItAmazing · 10/01/2019 15:57

You really should ask a doctor if you don't know how to dispense medicine.

Craft1905 · 10/01/2019 16:01

@Absofrigginlootly -thanks for intimating that I'm single handedly responsible for antibiotic resistant bacteria spreading

You aren't doing it single handedly, but you are certainly doing your bit!

RandomObject · 10/01/2019 16:03

It's actually really, really not proven that not finishing a course of antibiotics leads to this mass resistance. The length of time they are prescribed for is pure guesswork and usually not backed up by any empirical data.

That said, there is no harm in taking them and I wouldn't condone getting into the habit of going against your doctor. Symptoms tend to disappear before the infection does.

Crunchymum · 10/01/2019 16:04

How long has he not had the AB for?

I'd give the surgey a ring (see if you can get a quick telephone appt) and be honest. See what an actual medical professional thinks is best???