4 month old - giving antibiotics dilemma

[firststeps]

Any advice would be helpful - DS2 is almost 19 weeks, we have all had a stinking cold this week that has also resultiled in a nasty rattly cough. DS1 and I have taken antibiotics as we obviously had an infection as well. DS2 has also been prescribed antiobiotics (Amoxycillin) but the GP said for him just to take them if we feel he needs them. The GP has listened to his chest and looked in his ears and there is no sign of infection but he is very snotty and has a nasty wheezy cough. I am really reluctant to give him the antibiotics as when DS1 was the same age he took the same kind which made him temporarily lactose intolerant and he had diahorrhea for about 4 weeks and DS2 has dodgy digestion at the best of times and is very colicy so anything that upsets this would be a nightmare. He is happy enough in himself and feeding and sleeping fine. Should I just let him ride the cough and cold out with calpol and medised or give him the antibiotics? Any advice gratefully received. Sorry it's so long!

I think if he is happy and feeding/drinking/sleeping and still peeing near enough to normal, forget the antibiotics and go with the calpol - the majority of these things are viral in kids and will clear up over a few days/week or so. My wee one ( 9months) has had a few colds with really rattly coughs and over time it got better on its own. If you think he is getting worse ie not feeding/sleeping as well, then maybe start the antibiotics or take back to GP for another check. Hope he gets better soon!

hold off....your gut instinct is telling you to hold off, your doc only said to take them if you feel he needs them, so I would wait it out.

obviously if he starts to get poorlier then take him back to get checked over again, and then if the doc says he does need them, then do so. but if otherwise he seems ok and alert and is eating and peeing and pooing normally then just go with the calpol for now.

antibiotics at such a young age can cause problems later if they got them but didn;t NEED them IYGWIM.

hope he and you feel better soon tho

giving a delayed script is quite common.
basically most of these things are viral (ie antibiotics won't work) but it s difficult to tell. if he's the same as when the gp saw him then leave it but if he's getting worse then you can give them a go/or call GP first if you're happier with that.

does he have a fever?

did the GP say he was wheezy? this would worry me, but often parents say their child is wheezy but when you listen with a stethoscope there is nothing to hear - its all noise coming fom the blocked nose etc. a wheeze is a high pitched sound on breathing OUT. is he breathing ok or is he breathing faster than normal (best way is to look at his chest with his clothes off and see if hes really sucking his chest in)

HTH

disagree with antibiotivs causing problems later on - its more on a population level - resistance occurs rather than an on individual level. obviously if hes allergic to it thats different matter but thats rare.

I didn;t mean 'problems' as such, tis a poor way of my typing and thinking skills, sorry.

I mean more along the lines of resistence etc (like luvaduck says)......or even, like the OP says, temporary intolerances.

I know that when mine have had them they can also get diarhoe'ry (sp?) too, and I get thrush.

Hi Luvaduck - the GP listened to his chest front and back yesterday and said it was clear - he just sounds a bit wheezy to me - but he isn't struggling to breathe or breathing ny faster than normal - he is just really snotty and congested. I think I will see how he is in 48 hours and take it from there. Thanks for your replies

great stuff
so go with your instincts
if hes the same and breathing fine, no fever and well in all aspects carry on doing what you are doing (careful with medised though it contains calpol so not to be taken togather and its been withdrawn - not 'cos its dangerous at normal doses but because of fear of overdose)
if you think hes getting worse you can either give them a try or call GP (they do telephone consultations)
awful things theses colds
hope he gets well soon

thanks luvaduck. I usually give calpol during the day and medised at night - and not maximum doses in 24 hours so should be ok?

yep fine
x