My DS is 13.5 months and had his first proper cold about 6 weeks ago. The sore throat, cough and general malaise persisted to the extent that I took him to the GP who prescribed amoxicillin... It seemed to help but some cough persisted.
Then two weeks ago he had the MMR and within 48 hours had a temp of 39.9 that Calpol wouldn't shift nor ibuprofen. After a few hours we went to A&E who advised greater dose based on height and weight which did bring it down. They diagnosed as just another infection or virus, no meds.
For the past ten days he has got better, definitely; no temperature but still now a streaming nose and hacking cough especially at night. He also had a nettle-style rash for a couple of nights and bacterial conjunctivitis (both receding now) and is in good spirits but wobbly with low appetite.
DH took him to the GP yesterday who prescribed amoxicillin again.
I really wanted to know if his chest was clear but apparently he was crying too hard for the GP to hear (and stopped as soon as they left naturally!).
He is now much better but still has a streaming nose and terrible cough, hacking and sounds quite chesty.
I am certainly happy to give him the antibios again if they are needed - but I thought they shouldn't ideally be given unless there is a chest infection - i.e. not for throat infection as GP says. Does anyone know if this is right?
My feeling is that it is probably a virus and has gone on for longer than usual due to weakened resistance due to the combination of MMR and the first infection as evidenced by the conjunctivitis and rash. But it is tempting to give him medicine when you just have it sitting in the fridge again in the hope that it will help him even a little!
I have a tiny bit of knowledge (am a grad-entry medical student) but not enough, it seems! Not sure if it is one of those things you need to ride out or not...
Sorry if this is longwinded. I feel so sorry for him, even though he's improved - just feels like 6 weeks of continuing illness!
Am 38 wks pregnant too with exams looming and definitely not being as clear-headed as I could be!