Antibiotics - again!

[rattlesnake]

I'm not saying that DS dosen't need them at the moment - he has a horrible swollen red throat and high temps for 2 days. However with a history of chest infections, he has had antibiotics around 20 times in his lifetime (he is 6)!
Each time seems justified...but am I "ruining his health" as some books/articles suggest ?? Would like to know what other mums think.

Am in the same position of wondering though we just had to start next round to antibiotics for tonsillitis on Monday which then had to be switched Wednesday as has gained bronchitis as well and we have finally proven that the standard antibiotics just do nothing for him.

My issue is what would/could happen if we didn't give the antibiotics when needed as very quickly chest problems in small children escalate and pneumonia and hospital become very real....

I am told by nutritionist friend that if I just took out wheat and dairy from diet then throat problems would go away but not convinced that removing them when no outward evidence of intolerance/allergy is good given how basic they are to the diet of children. Also DS2 has milk allergy and not having milk since a baby hasn't stopped him getting bronchitis and bad throats.

Shall watch this with interest to see what others say

I have this worry too. Ds is on his fifth course since Xmas and he us only just 2. But he has had serious reasons such as scarlet fever, chest infections and recurring ear infections. But it does worry me' though I can't see what choice I have.

How to boost his immune system and stop him coming down with nasty things?

I've stopped worrying about this and accept that DD2 for now needs that little bit of extra help when she catches something. I don't really think that it will do her any harm in the long run, although I do worry about the wider implications of antibiotics use and development of resistance in many strains.

Also, I think it is unwise to translate population studies directly to an individual child; statistics can be presented in many different ways, but it is almost always in terms of an x% increased chance of xyz... You have to weigh that up against the chances of what happens to your child if you don't treat. Without antibiotics our DD most definitely would not be here anymore. And further down the line it has saved her an awful lot of pain and possibly prevented longer term hearing problems. Look at the positives and count your lucky stars that we live where we live and have access to great healthcare... too many children sadly don't

20 times in 6 years isn't a lot. Ds had had more than that by the time he was 18 months and our GP is reluctant to prescribe them unless strictly necessary. The GP used to say "now which one hasn't hae had recently.... ah he's had them all...."

It's true we're very lucky to have them.

I did develop a penicillin allergy myself after a long course so I cross fingers that doesn't happen to these children on this thread!

Thanks for all response. Has been on penecillin 2 days and not doing didly! I suspect its a virus as his throat is not longer sore but still having v high temps and a nasty cough now...