Antibiotics - feel ambivalent about giving them!

[TheCountessOlenska]

I haven't had antibiotics as an adult, DD aged 2.9 has never had them. Took her to Doc's yesterday for scabby rash on her face - Doctor ruled out Impetigo but prescribed a 7 day course of antibiotics.

I was already a bit meh when I read the instructions and apparently it has to be 4 doses a day for 7 days on an empty stomach (how are you supposed to fit them in??) but I gave DD the first dose last night - well, it tasted absolutely foul, she is used to the odd spoon of calpol so was devastated when she tasted this! I licked the spoon and it was awful! Is this normal?? I remember as a child antibiotics were nice banana flavour (or did I dream this?)

I can't get her to swallow a spoon today - I am tempted to chuck it and let nature take it's course but wondered what others do, is there not a child friendly version? I am also worried now that I will make her bugs resistant to antibiotics?? Wish I'd never gone to GP tbh!

Why dis you got to GP if you didn't want their advice? I presume he / she thinks its infected?

You've started te course so should definitely now finish it. Only amoxicillin is banana flavoured - lots aren't. Tbh she will just have to learn to take it - use this as a way to convince her that sometimes medicine in yucky but it makes her feel better - there may come a time in te future when you really need her to know this.

Doctors don't generally prescribe antibiotics now unless they are really needed. If you want to play with her health then by all means stop.

Bit of bribery or if needed pin her down to get it in.

Well I did want their advice but I didn't really get any, just a prescription. GP wasn't sure it was infected!

I care what flavour it is but are they all so bitter to taste? Fair enough if they are. Just wondered if I had the adult version by mistake!

You need to give her the antibiotics. If it gets worse and you have to go back to doctor and she has to have IV antibiotics it will be much worse.

She is at an age where she needs to learn about taking her medicine. Give a little treat - an ice lolly/ chocolate button or sticker etc if she takes it without a fuss.

One day she will need antibiotics again and you cannot keep putting it off

You are more likely to encourage resistance by not finishing the course than by taking them as instructed.

And "letting nature take its course" could lead to her scabby rash scarring far more.

GPs don't give them out like candy, so it's reasonable to assume that he thinks it is the best course of action.

Yes I thought GP's reluctant to give antibiotics - was surprised to get them! I am not one to run in at every sniffle demanding them, hence why I am surprised by their disgustingness!

Thanks for advice Youcanringmybell I will try that!

Hope it works countess - trying to pin a child down to administer medicine is never as easy as it sounds!!

I tried mini egg bribery, I tried pinning down, I tried mixing with honey. Had it spat all over me. Rang surgery and got call back from different (lovely) Doctor who said the horrible tasting antibiotics were the only ones for facial lesions - but for a few scabs on a small child she would do me a prescription for antibiotic cream instead. Phew!

Ah wonderful news!!