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Children's health

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Original poster

Dr gave me a prescription for ABs and said it was "up to me" - what do I do?

11 replies

snickersnack · 05/12/2008 13:38

ds was up for 3 hours crying last night - took him to the doctor this morning who said his inner ear was filled with cloudy fluid and clearly infected. She said she'd give me a prescription "in case we needed it" - I asked her what sort of circumstances would count as "needing it" if not the current ones, and her answer was "well, it might get better without it". I don't know why I didn't push her for a clearer answer at the time, but was so weary I didn't.

So - wwyd? I'll definitely get the prescription filled this pm so it's there over the weekend, but would you start giving it now, or wait a day or so?

OP posts:

RubyRioja · 05/12/2008 13:40

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

PuppyMonkey · 05/12/2008 13:41

I would give him the antibiotics straight away, make sure you take the whole course etc.

Seeline · 05/12/2008 13:42

Give them to him - if there is an infection, the abs will clear it up much quicker. It might just do it on its own, but will take longer, and he is obviously in pain or he wouldn't be crying. What a strange doctor - passing the buck like that!

ladymac · 05/12/2008 13:47

3 hours crying sounds to me like he was in pain. I would give him the antibiotics but also some sort of probiotic as antibiotics can cause problems of their own. I buy a powdered one that comes in banana or strawberry flavour and mix it in with porridge or milk or fromage frais.

My 20 month old dd had 3 ear infections in 6 months, you could tell she was in pain as it was out of character for her to cry and moan so much. Horrid.

Good luck and hope he gets better soon.

BlackEyedDogstar · 05/12/2008 13:48

My Dr did this last week. They are advised not to give out anti biotics as they generally don't work on the type of infections that they are often prescribed for, he said.

So he gave me prescription 'just in case'. I didn't use it.

In your case I think I certainly would.

LaCerbiatta · 05/12/2008 13:53

I'm having a similar issue. My daughter has a chest infection. She's well and happy, no temperature, she just has a bad cough. I didn't even wanted to take her to the doctors because I think it will clear on it's own, but dh didn't agree and took her this morning. She was prescribed ABs, but should she really take them?? Wouldn't it be better to let it clear on its own? (of course if she got worse, felt unwell, etc, it would be different).

For the OP: for an ear infection, I wouldn't hesitate. They're very painful and if not healed properly can scar and cause hearing problems.

LaCerbiatta · 05/12/2008 13:53

For the OP: for an ear infection, I wouldn't hesitate. They're very painful and if not healed properly can scar and cause hearing problems.

Original poster

snickersnack · 05/12/2008 14:04

The thing I forgot to add (see, that's what sleep deprivation does to you)is that today he seems 100%. Bright, bouncy, cheerful and currently napping peacefully upstairs with no wailing. Hence my debating whether to give them to him or not - though I think on balance I agree with the "get them down him" brigade in any case and if I don't give them to him dh who is very much of the "medicine? yes please!" school of thought almost certainly will.

OP posts:

pagwatch · 05/12/2008 14:05

MY Gp is fab and often does this for me

I can then take a view on whether infection is clearing up or getting worse. If clearing up I leave alone. If getting worse i use the prescription.

Sidge · 05/12/2008 14:08

Most ear infections clear up in 5 days without antibiotics. If it hadn't got better by about 3-4 days I would start the abx.

In the meantime I would give regular paracetamol and nurofen.

DoNotsAntlers · 05/12/2008 14:08

I am of the opposite standing to many here...

Ear infection - possibly wouldn't
Chest infection - definately would. It can be very hard for a child to clear a chest infection themselves. They can also deteriorate very rapidly to a lifethreatening situation in some cases.

Whatever you decide you must take the full course though.

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