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Children's health

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Original poster

Need advice about antibiotics for 1 yr old

15 replies

BelleMama · 05/11/2010 18:07

Hi,

DS started nursery when I went back to work about a month ago and has had the normal streaming nose and a couple of tummy bugs already which he seems to have got over just find.

But about over a week ago his cold developed into a nasty chesty cough. He doesn't have an infection (no temp, mucus is a normal colour) but it sounds bad.

So took him to GP today who said he should have antibiotics. He was concerned that that much congestion on the chest could lead to some kind of chest infection. But when I asked about side effects he said that DS could expect upset tummy for the duration (a week) of taking the antibiotics.

I'm against taking antibiotics unless absolutely necessary. What would you do? He is eating fine and playing, though a bit under par it isn't really stopping him doing anything but obviously I don't want to put him at risk. But the doctor said that the antibiotics were "to be on the safe side" rather than absolutely necessary.

I've tried steaming up the bathroom, chest rubs etc. Any other ideas or should I just go for the antibiotics?

OP posts:

VivaLeBeaver · 05/11/2010 18:10

I would be tempted to not give him the antibiotics, I always thoughth they didn't work on colds even if a bad cold. Antibiotics work on infections but won't be any use in preventing an infection.

Can you get a 2nd opinion tomorrow?

winnybella · 05/11/2010 18:13

So does he have rhinopharyngite ie is coughing up the stuff from his nose that went down his throat? In that case I wouldn't give ABs.

If the mucus changes colour or he developes fever, I would.

asouthwoldmummy · 05/11/2010 18:13

Tbh it doesn't sound like antibiotics are a necessity. DS had an awful cough at 8 months. I took him to see the GP as I was worried he had a chest infection but he didn't. I was advised to give calpol and just keep his fluids up. GP said to take him back a week later if he was no better but it sorted itself out within a few days.

scareprudence · 05/11/2010 18:17

If there's no infection, what are the ABs supposed to do? I'd be tempted to hang on until there were clear signs of an infection.

I have no medical training though - just my opinion as a mother.

Original poster

BelleMama · 05/11/2010 18:21

Thanks all...

@winnybella - Its more than coughing up stuff he has swallowed, doctor listened to his chest and said there was a lot of mucus in there. TBH you can hear it sometimes just when he is breathing, but it isn't infected.

@asouthwoldmummy - this is what I've been doing and what makes most sense to me.

Might carry on for a few more days but keep hold of antibiotics in case he gets worse?

@vivalebeaver - don't know where I'd get a 2nd opinion would prob have to be Monday...

Antibiotics can be horrid can't they.. its amoxcicillan btw.

OP posts:

onimolap · 05/11/2010 18:37

Bellemama: you said in OP and latest post that DS does not have an infection. Not clear who made that diagnosis for you, and whether it was before or after the doctor who did diagnose (?) bacterial infection and prescribed accordingly (or was he really prescribing prophylactically?Goes against all guidelines!)

Antibiotics aren't remotely horrid, BTW: they've saved countless lives and improved so many outcomes.

asouthwoldmummy · 05/11/2010 18:48

Bellemama - I would continue as you are for now. If he gets any worse start giving the antibiotics straight away. If not then give it 3-4 days then give them if he's no better.

I'm not against antibiotics but surely you'll boost his immunity if you give his body a chance to fight infection first.

How does he seem to you, is he quieter or more cuddltly than normal, or is he the same as he usually is? I think this is normally a giveaway as to how ill children are.

asouthwoldmummy · 05/11/2010 18:49

cuddly, sorry!

Original poster

BelleMama · 05/11/2010 18:49

@onimolap,

The doctor told me that he doesn't have a chest infection, but is at risk of one due to the amount of mucus on his chest. He wasn't saying take these if it develops, he was saying to take them now.

In the right situation I am all for antibiotics, the "horrid" only refers to the fact that for some (especially babies) there can be nasty side effects like upset tummies. Obviously I want to avoid it if the antibiotics are unnecessary in this case. Totally a fan of live saving drugs and wouldn't be hesitating if the doctor had said that DS has a chest infection as that is obviously serious.

Feel silly that I didn't ask more questions at the time, but it only occurred to me after I'd left.

OP posts:

onimolap · 05/11/2010 18:55

Thanks, that's much clearer (sorry if I was overly dense before)!

You were worried enough to take DS to a doctor; the doc is the one with the medical training/experience, and the one who has seen your DS.

Is there a reason why you do not trust this doctor?

Original poster

BelleMama · 05/11/2010 18:56

@asouthwold mummy

he is still mostly in good spirits, more disturbed at night due to coughing and therefore a bit more tired and grumpy at certain times of the day (first thing inthe am and last thing in the eve really) but in general he is his normal happy playing chatty cuddly self.

Dr said that if he had an infection he would be a lot quieter, not playing, listless and more irritable. He def isn't like this.

OP posts:

Original poster

BelleMama · 05/11/2010 19:05

@omniolap
No no, not dense at all, but this thread sums up my confusion pretty well.

On the one hand yes I was worried that chest wasn't clearing up after a week of chesty cough.

However, Doctor said that there was no infection present and I thought antibiotics are only prescribed when infection is present.

Want DS to build up natural immunity and don't want to see him suffer from a tummy upset (that could be worse than current symptoms) unless it is really necessary.

No reason not to trust doctor, it wasn't a doctor I'd seen before.

OP posts:

VivaLeBeaver · 06/11/2010 12:27

I wouldn't trust a Dr who talked bollocks.

asouthwoldmummy · 07/11/2010 21:45

Is he any better yet? I hope he gets better soon, you feel so helpless when they're unwell :(

Original poster

BelleMama · 07/11/2010 22:02

@asouthwoldmummy
Bless you - thanks he's about the same maybe a teeny bit better. We are still holding off giving him the antibiotics as he is well in himself apart from cough. Lots of nice warm baths with lavender and a bit of chest rub to keep it all moving and he seems to be ok. If he takes a turn for the worse i'm on hand with the antibiotics. Seems like the best plan.

@VivaleBeaver
I don't agree with just blindly following medical advice. I respect doctors and would always defer to them if they said "this is really important, you must do x." But in this case the prescription was "just in case" and that didn't seem good enough to me.

OP posts:

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