Tonsilitis anyone? What would you do?

[Rhubarb]

This is what ds has been diagnosed with after dr stuck her wooden thingy down his throat. He's had a fever for a few days, been unwell and tired, then this horrible cough that keeps him awake at night (and me) and today he is worse than ever. She's prescribed antibiotics but I'm fairly anti them tbh. Just looked up tonsilitis and there are 2 kinds, bacterial and virul, if you have the virul kind then antibiotics are not necessary. She didn't do any tests.

The reason I'm hesitating is that he got diagnosed with this last year and got put on antibiotics that cocked up his system, he had runny poos for 6 months afterwards until we linked the 2 and got him some pre-biotics. I don't really want to go through the same again. But nor do I want another sleepless night. What would you do?

well?

Are they the smae antibiotics? if so I would ask for another script for different ones.

Oh and start the pro-biotics straight away.

I don't know, I forgot to note down the name of the anti-biotics last year!!

Another reason I hesitate is that dd and dh have had the same bug, within the space of 3 weeks, neither of them developed tonsilitis, though they did have the same symptoms, so what if she's wrong? I don't want to give my ds anti-biots for no good reason.

I had tonsillitis a few weeks ago and it was absolutely vile. Incredibly painful, to the point that I found it hard even to swallow my own saliva. I was put on a broad spectrum antibiotic that didn't affect it and was finally prescribed penicillin. When the penicillin kicked in after 36 hours it was like a small miracle. I still had no voice, but the pain, which nothing else had touched, disappeared.

I would go for the antibiotics with some pro-biotic yogurt or drinks to help DS' digestive system.

Sorry, don't know how old your DS is, but if he's been prescribed tablets then you can hold of and see if anything more developes. Whereas suspension has a limited life for usage (hope this makes sence).

Personally after what you've said about DD and DH I think I would wait a bit, although if he's in obvious discomfort then I would give them. Thats not a lot of help is it!!

Hmmm. Ok. I just don't like giving 'em abs, not unless someone can convince me that it's absolutely necessary!

My DS used to suffer from tonsilitis a lot. You can often see for yourself if they have tonsilitis, as you can see white spots over the tonsils.
I can't remember the names of the anti biotics, but one of them gave him runny poo for a while.
You could request a different antibiotic from your gp. I did this, as DS refused to take the white one.

Didn't like giving my DD a/bs until she developed glue ear because she didn't get them!.

Mind, she was never poorly with ear infections - she just has a very high pain threshold.

Oh well, suppose I will do then. I just wish they'd do proper checks before dishing out abs to all and sundry!

I know your ds is younger than me but i used to get tonsilitus whne i was on the pill and had them taken out and still got it when i went back on the pill, Came off and didnt get it again in 12 years. Are you on any other medicines which could be causing this?

No, none.
He's only 2. I suffer from sore throats quite a bit but I've never had tonsilitus.

i suffer with tonsilitis myself, i had it twice last year without antibiotics and had a fever for about 4 days, was sick, on paracetamol, co-dydramol and ibrufen for the pain and in an absolute state for about 10 days. Ive had it twice already this year, however ive had penicillan (sp?) both times this year and it has been nowhere near as bad and only lasted about 4 or 5 days. This may help.
Imo - take the antibiotics, i know i would let my dd (5) have them now as i know how bloody awful it was without them.

I also get tonsillitis a lot and like nixz, I think you should give him the ab's. It can be really awful, and anything that might help get rid of it can only be good. I take pro-b's as well.

how long has he been ill? I had this last year and begged the GP for antibs as I felt so awful. I had had it for around 10 days before I went to the GP but I'm pretty sure mine was bacterial because it responded to the antibs straight away.

Look up on the net how long viral tonsilitis lasts - I can't remember but think it is something like 10-14 days. If he's been sick longer than that, then definitely give the antibs. If he seems to be getting better, then I'd be tempted to hold off.

I would agree with everyone else though - it is hellishly painful so make sure he has the proper dose of nurofen and give him the antibs if he is still suffering.

rhubarb, if your gp can see pus it is obviously bacterial and needs ab's.
I was exactly the same about the wee chap but tonsilitus can be very serious. it can lead to eppiglotitus and quincy throat which is potentially fatal.
I let the dr make this decision for me to give antibs, as I could not have lived with myself if the chap had got worse.
The dr has made this decision, it really would be in the wee ones best interest to take them. MAke sre he takes them regularly and for the full course, have your gp look at his tonsils at the end to make sure it is completely gone.
bio yoghurt and vitamins for the immune system, hope he feels beter soon

I think from what Rhubarb has said before, or maybe it was someone else on MN, French doctors are very medication happy with little effort at diagnosis... actually, someone was saying as much the other morning on Radio 5-Live when they were comparing health insurance systems in different countries.

Rhubarb hasn't said whether he has spots on his tonsils, or the other signs people have mentioned.

Can you get a second opinion, Rhubarb? I'd be reluctant to give them, too, from what you've said.

Otherwise, I guess I'd go with how miserable the child is, and whether the chance of him getting much worse from not taking anti-Bs seems more likely than the harm you think the anti-Bs might do him.

Am .
If in doubt ask your gp if he saw pus at the back of ds throat.
I just can not understand why a gp would considder prescribing antibiotics for a clearly viral infection.
We are so reluctant to hand them out un-nessesarily.

whenit comes to the chaps health I am happy to let the GP's help me make an imoformed desicion. I am cautious of overuse of antibiotics, but they definately have their place.
If your gp has prescribe him, please go back and see him if you would rather not give the medication, make him justify his reasons and help you to come to a desicion.
I just could not live with myself if the chap had got worse and I had ignored the drs advice.

Thanks everyone. It was me who said that drs here are very ab happy! They've twice prescribed abs unnecessarily for my kids, the last time was for a urine infection for dd and the abs she was prescribed were very strong! I got her urine tested independantly and discovered that her problem was not an infection.

On this occasion however, I have given him the abs. I cannot see down his throat but she could. I held off last night, but at 2am when he showed no signs of sleeping, I gave in. He slept better afterwards and I have just given him his morning dose, so we'll see how we get on. It's always good to check first though I think. I would advise anyone seeking medical help in France to always, always question a prescription for abs.