Tonsillitis antibiotics question

[OhWhatAPalaver]

My 15 mo was just prescribed antibiotics by gp for tonsillitis. She had a temp of 39.5 and has pretty explosive nappies (Calpol gives her a dodgy tummy anyway.) But I've just read on nhs website that abx aren't necessarily prescribed for tonsillitis, even if it's bacterial. I don't want to give her unnecessary meds that will give her an even worse stomach if its not needed. What are people's experiences with this? She's only had the tiniest drop of the medicine as she won't take it off the spoon and we haven't tried syringe yet....and probably won't if gp has incorrectly prescribed!!

You could...but they don't agree hence my post! One said to me give...the other wait and see....dangerous...please...

A couple of years ago I had tonsillitis and thought I would leave it a few days to see if it would clear up on its own. I ended up in hospital with a tonsil abscess, the pain was beyond horrendous. If the gp has prescribed antibiotics, he thinks she needs them, so give them.

@shewolf

It's dangerous advice. Your posts are irresponsible. The reason we use ABs sparingly is because they're powerful. Ergo, the reason they've been given us because the child has a powerful need for them. I.e. a medical professional has deemed her in danger of becoming incredibly unwell without them.

Please, stop.

I would recommend taking the antibiotics. An adult with a good immune system would be able to fight it off but a child that young still hasn’t built up immunity to infections. Any infection left untreated can lead to sepsis and sepsis can be fatal.

I wouldn’t even hesitate if it was my DD she would be taking the penicillin whether she liked the taste or not. Tough and shit spring to mind. I nearly died of septicaemia when I was 6 and antibiotics saved my life.

Give the child the medicine for crying out loud.

Bacterial tonsillitis is fucking revolting.

A GP rarely hands out the medicine unless needed. Clearly your child needs it so give it to her.

And Shewolf your advice is terrible. How would you feel if someone actually listened to your dangerous advice and didn’t treat a poorly child and said child ended up in hospital? Or worse? Think about what you are saying woman for fecks sake.

MrsE

I am an adult who had bacterial tonsillitis. I tried to 'fight it off'.

Very nearly got hospitalised with quinsy.

Antibiotics are given for a reason.

I am asking questions and giving personal experience...i haven't told op not to give abx chill out people

A point I haven't seen mentioned yet is that, as well as assessing your child specifically and individually, your GP will be aware of what is currently circulating in your area, and there is often localised advice from infectious diseases experts as to what and when to treat and with what.

I also had a child with scarlet fever who became septic - and it took a while before diagnosis and she was very very seriously ill. Ended up needing low dose penicillin for several YEARS to prevent recurrence. When scarlet fever is known to be around, a low threshold for treating tonsillitis and similar is very appropriate in younger children.

I do understand the impulse to check everything and second guess yourself. At this point just keep looking after your little one as best you can, and give them the antibiotics as best you can, and don't feel you have to be responsible for all the medical decision making.

Hope she is better soon.

@Ankles no offence meant, I meant it in the general sense that an adult has a much better chance at fighting infection than a small child. I should have worded it like an adult may be able to rather than would be able to. I know antibiotics are given for a reason, I love antibiotics, they are my job. I would be poor and homeless without them

And I don’t know what the bold is about on my last post. It’s late and I am close to a curry coma.

As long as it's not Amoxicillin! If Phenoxymethypennicillin then it's fine x

Why what’s wrong with Amoxicillin?

My GP told me that Amoxycillin can make Bacterial Tonsillitis a LOT worse. Which explains a lot to me when I stupidly tried to self medicate with some left over Amoxys years ago!

But Phenoxymethypennicillin is what is prescribed for Bacterial Tonsillitis

Google says opposite though so maybe ignore what I've said? Maybe I've misunderstood?

You are right in saying phenoxymeth is the antibiotic of choice for BT but amoxicillin is also used. IME it all depends on the prescribing GP

Ah right. Not going totally mad then!