Baby with severe tonsillitis and chest infection

[Whatevertheweather]

Last night 7 mo dd was prescribed a high dose antibiotic to treat a severe case of tonsillitis and a chest infection but whilst we are waiting for them to kick in does anyone have any ideas how to make her more comfortable? She is really miserable and obviously in pain. She's off solids completely and is having sips of milk but not much. We are doing 4 hourly calpol but advised not to give ibrufen because of her chest. We do have open access to children's ward but am trying to manage it at home.

I just want to make her a bit more comfortable poor little thing

Not really understanding why no ibuprofen re chest? It's fine over 4 months, though I would not give calpol and ibuprofen together without medical advice at such a young age. I would try to keep her hydrated with plenty of water or juice. Contact the ward if you get too worried.

They just said they don't recommend giving ibuprofen with a chest infection. Not sure why. I might try and bit of juice to encourage her to drink that's a good idea. I think it's just so sore to swallow that it's putting her off.

The ibruprofen thing is correct whatever I know of several asthmatics who were always told it wasn't recommended.

What about freezing banana? Something cool and soothing to suck? Offer milk frequently as you are doing. I would perhaps also maybe attempt some natural yogurt to help replace some of the gut bacteria that will be wiped out by the ABs.

My ds has just had tonsillitis and is still suffering. He's 11 months old and hasn't had anythign solid for a week. as long as she's drinking I think that's the main thing. For several days ds was having a few gulps and then breaking off in pain at having to swallow (I've had tonsillitis many times so I sympathise!). Just lots of cuddles and sleep have been needed here. We were advised just calpol too, no idea why. We found out just a few days ago that he's allergic to the antibiotic he was given which was frightening but he seems to be on the mend with no need for another so I think expect it to be horrid for a few days yet. Ds spent most of last week on my lap which made doing things difficult but it was what he needed. He loved to watch the night garden so maybe find that on iplayer? I hope she feels better soon :)

Chest infection isn't asthma though and according to the pediatrican DS sees the advice even for asthmatics has changed just to be cautious as for some it causes problems. Unfortunatly my DS is one of the few.

Op if your worried don't hesitate to take her back

Also worth asking about difflam spray which would numb the throat enough to allow her to swallow comfortably

I notice that you are giving Calpol 4 hourly. Please be careful that you don't exceed the 24 hour dose. When DD is poorly I give Calpol every 6 hours.

Thanks so much all. I think I've got the same thing and its making me totally woolly headed and unable to think straight. She seems prone to this sort of thing since having bronchiolitis as a newborn. Think i've been to the doctors with her more times in 7 months than with dd1 in 6 years! She's asleep on me again now.

Have popped a banana in the freezer that's a great idea. Ditto the natural yoghurt. Sorry your ds has had it too pramdunce it must be so miserable for them We were referred to 3 different OOH services yesterday and it was only the paediatric consultant on children's ward who even looked in her throat! The first two doctors dx a chest infection but weren't confident what to prescribe her. Bunbaker I'm giving her 2.5mls every 4hrs as that seems to keep her temp under control she can have 5mls at a time so although she might have more than 6 doses in 24hrs it's still less than the volume she is allowed - is that ok do you think?

It hadn't occurred to me to look in his mouth either, the doctor we saw said it was a very severe case too :( Ditto being passed from pillar to post for daring to be ill at the weekend. The doctor we saw yesterday, 2 days after diagnosis, said there was now no indication of tonsillitis, just inflamation. He had one dose of antibiotics before coming out in a terrible rash so his body obviously fought it by itself. Really has been a terrible week for him though poor thing.

No, I don't think you're allowed to give smaller amounts of Calpol more often. I think it overloads the liver.

No in wouldn't give half doses tbh. If they r going to have a drug then its best to give them a full dose so they get the full benefit from it. I would however make sure you have not overdoses on the day so you can give her one or two at night should she require it. During the day there are other ways of helping to keep the temperatures down and dealing with a cranky baby in the day is better than one at night who can't have any more medicine and you don't want to over stimulate by cool cloths on the head standing near the window for a cool breeze, stripping off etc.

She has had calpol at 1am, 5am, 9am and 1pm so think I will leave it until around 6.30pm to give any more then see how she's goes through the night. Hopefully the AB's will start to control the infection by then. She's very sleepy, hardly been awake today.

I'm a huge fan of the NHS but yesterday was ridiculous - rang at 11am to be told there weren't any gp appts until 11pm but that we could go to a walk in centre at 4pm. It was staffed by nurse practitioners who dx viral chest infection and thought she needed steroids but they couldn't prescribe them only a doctor could because of her age. Only appt was at a hospital 40miles away at 8.30pm so we went there. Saw gp at 10pm, he said he wasn't very confident with babies (he was the only doctor there and the waiting room was full of under 1's!) but that he thought it was a bacterial chest infection but wasn't sure what dosage ab's to prescribe so rang children's ward at our local hospital (2mins from original walk in centre!) and referred us back there. They were brilliant and we were back home by 1am with the prescription!