Wish I hadn't given antibiotics

[LifesTooShortYOLO]

I wish I hadn't started DS on antibiotics last night
He's had an ear infection since Thursday night with bad ear pain and fever and last night he went downhill saying his ear was really really hurting and his fever was 39.1 so I panicked and started the antibiotics and now I wish I hadn't as he seems so much better today and im now worried he's having antibiotics for what's most likely a viral infection and it will be bad for him killing all the good bacteria in his tummy 😭

Antibiotics can work quickly, it may be that the reason he seems so much better today is the first dose. He will build back his gut bacteria, relief from the ear infection is worth it.

I tend to listen to my GO so if they give an anti biotic I do think it's the best for my child.

GP

@claymodels

I tend to listen to my GO so if they give an anti biotic I do think it's the best for my child.

Well this is the ring the GP said it's most likely a viral ear infection and should clear on its own, but gave them in case and said to watch and wait. Which I did until last night

Is it not feeling better because you gave him the antibiotics?

So maybe the antibiotics are working....his gut flora will recover. You could give him some probiotics (or is it prebiotics, I can never remember) afterwards to help??

Have a look at probiotics to help his tummy. However please do your own research first as the evidence base is mixed.

Just give him some probiotics for his tummy flora. Antibiotics are doing the job .

Well this is the ring the GP said it's most likely a viral ear infection and should clear on its own, but gave them in case and said to watch and wait. Which I did until last night

And then they started working.

Don't stop the ABs, even if you think they are unnecessary.
Not taking the whole course could mean the AB is less likely to work next time he takes it.

They work quickly in little ones. Finish the course and stop worrying. Be thankful that we have these drugs to treat infection.

Antibiotic caution is a good thing but I think you are worrying far too much about the impact one course will have on his gut biome.

Ear infections are horrible - I’ve had a couple over the past few years and they really can be painful and debilitating. Just make sure his diet is good and healthy and I am sure he will be fine.

Turn your thinking around. If you hadn't given him antibiotics, he might have a burst eardrum or worse this morning.

I remember when my DD was in hospital for a chest infection the docs were very keen to start AB immediately and honestly she was in a bad way the first two doses of AB made a big difference they do start working quickly in kids.

24 hours on antibiotics my kids often seem 100% better so one dose will have a big effect

After they stop the course I tend to give a probiotic and feed them some yoghurt for a few days.

Does he have any tummy issues? If not, why are you worrying?

This is the 3rd thread I've read that you have started on this OP. You've given them, it's done, it's probably why he is feeling better.

Thanks for the replies. That's good advice about the probiotics and yoghurts 😊
I know I'm worrying but I suffer health anxiety and I'm just questioning if I've made the right decision 🥺
I'm not against antibiotics at all don't get me wrong it's just he had two courses back in May for an ear infection that the doctors didn't look at his ear for so I just worry it's a lot of antibiotics he's had in his life already 😥

Whatever you do, finish the course as you'll potentially cause more problems (antibiotic resistance)