Antibiotics prescribed for 3 week old DD...should I give them to her?

[hjscho]

I took DD to see doctor on Monday, as she had a really bad cough. I wanted to check that it was just a cough. The doctor prescribed antibiotics and I said that I didn't want to give them to her. The doctor said to use my common sense and if it hadn't cleared in a couple of days to give it to her. The cough has now changed and I can feel the 'bubbling' as she breaths when I hold her. I am not sure if it has now become a chest infection rather than just a cough. I am SO reluctant to give antibiotics to a 3 week old, but I feel that I may have to give in now, as she has been ill for over a week. I'd appreciate any opinions on this one...

LaDiDaDi, why do you think these questions can determine whether it's viral or bacterial in this case?

I know exactly what you mean by the bubbling, I've felt it with ds many many times, it's vibrations in the chest caused by the narrowing of the airways and by the mucus.

Ds has always fed and weed and pooed well even when very poorly indeed, so that alone is not enough to decide on the question of whether to give AB's.

In a way I think that AB's are needed because this baby is so young - because things can deteriorate and get worse and dangerous so very, very quickly.

Don't take any chances.

they gave my ds antibiotics when he was born cos i had PROM. if a 1 day old can have them i think a 3 week can.

In answer to emkana, if yes to my forst questions and no to the others then essentially the lo doesn't sound compromised by the illness so more likely to be a virus and no need for Abs.

If otherwise then may be bacterial but equally may be nasty virus. What's more important than the cause is how compromised the baby is by the illness, hence if baby appears compromised it needs medical review.

I'd love to know hoe you can tell the difference between chest and throat, because speaking as someone who has had pnumonia and lung collapse it is actually very hard to tell!

If it wasn't for modern medicine, a significant proportion of MNetters wouldn't be here because they'd have died in childbirth. And a lot of our LOs wouldn't make it through childhood either.

Just a thought....

Are there any health professionals on this thread?

sorry I am being maybe a bit sarky there. I agree that medical advide is necessary but tring to point out tha to the untrained ear it is hard to tell the difference between chest bubbles and throat bubbles.

But Kelly hjscho said that she could feel the bubbling when holding her dd, not that she could hear it. That suggests the chest to me.

Are there any health professionals on this thread?

the moist world, that is an interesting point. Despite modern world technology a mnetter lost a twin. Because of her experience I was wary. I had had previously two healthy births

Technolgy informed me mt dt1 was ceph, I believed otherwise and I was correct. MY dt2, Akshay could have died.

That is why I believe that if a mother isn't certain they should seek a second opinion or stick to their beliefs. I respect the OP for questioning and having regard for her doubts.

Kelly, of course terrible things still happen and children still tragically die. But surely you would agree that maternal and childhood mortality have decreased HUMUNGOUSLY over the last century because of modern research, treatments & technology????

Yes I do agree, but I've had some terrible experences, which is why I believe in second opinions! I don't disagree with technology but i do think it is overused while underesearched.

give her the anti biotics, chest infections are serious in children so young

for example I am severely hearing hearing impaired despite drugs research taht the government considers adequate.
Would you condider severe hearing impairment (eqivilent of your hearing underwater adequate) as fair testing??? Would you still trust the NHS or the government if it were you who were deaf? If you couldn't hear your child's first coos? first vowels? Because of drugs YOUR gp presecribed?

I would add that I totally agree that the OP should get a second opinion if it will reassure her & help her to feel more confident in her approach.

However I feel that unless the people who are giving her advice on treating this very vulnerable baby with complimentary medicine are trained, qualified & can back up their statements with cast-iron facts & evidence, they are extremely irresponsible.

And yes I know that there are some crap GPs around because I work within the health service.

the moist world, why are you so secretice about your role in the NHS>

There's at least onhe health professional on this thread....

Kelly - I don't think she is being overly secretive. Why should she say what she does? The idea of MN is anonymity and Moist would be SWAMPED with questions should she announce her profession!

I stated that "I work within the health service", not "I work within the health service but I'm not telling you what I do..."! Jeez!

Actually, I work for a top secret enclave in the NHs. Our evil purpose is too stamp out complimentary medicine and force babies to take new drugs, the side effects of which are under researched and possibly horrific

Actually, I'm a social worker - which is why I wouldn't presume to dish out medical advice to anyone. My partner is a GP who also practises compimentary therapies.

hjscho - i hope your dd is on the mend

A small amount of homoeopathic evidence here . Yes, there is lots more out there but I'm not going trawling now as I have things to do.
Oh, and it isn't only modern medicine responsible for the reduction in disease/mortality - it is also due to increased hygiene (basic hygiene, not antibacterial rubbish), less poverty, and knowledge of nutrition.

hjscho - how is your dd now?

I would strongly recommend you give the antibiotics. Although DD seems young premmie babies are on antibiotics from much younger and for prolonged periods - I know from personal experience DS, being in this position. If they need them they need them and the immune system issues pales into insignificance. Doctors always told me that the issue re this is when the course is not completed and not in issues when they are needed. have also had experience of not being given anitbiotices for chest infection earlier enough (all in good faith - doctors thoguht it viral for over a week) but led to hospitalisation. Please give them!!

hjscho i hope dd is on the mend today.I understand your worry about ab,i was the same.My ds had one chest infection after another from about 5mths old.He was also lactose intolarent so was poorly most of the time.My gp didn't like to keep giving ab,which i thought was a good thing.I thought i had found a good gp because of this.Untill may last year when ds had another bad chest and gp did nothing.We saw gp at 6pm and by 9pm we were rushing to a+e.If we had been 5mins later the worst would have happened,ds would not be here now.He spent a week on high dependancey with IV AB.I was told this was because no ab was given earlier and the infection had got really bad.Sometimes ab are needed whatever the age.I really hope your dd gets better soon.

Hjscho, don't know if you are still reading this very long thread!

However if you are has anyone suggested using probiotics with the antibiotics?

I imagine one of the reasons that you aren't keen on antibiotics for your wee one is because of the unbalance in gut flora they can create. Taking probiotics can help to counteract this. As you are breastfeeding you can take the probiotics yourself and your baby will get them through your breastmilk. You need to get GOOD QUALITY probiotics from a health food shop (Yoghurt drinks from the supermarket do not count!) that contain prebiotics as well. I warn you, they are generally quite expensive but they will do both you and your baby good.

I would also take some cod liver oil (for vitamin A to help throw off infection) and a supplement of NATURAL (not synthetic) vitamin C. Again these immune boosting goodies will be past on through your milk.

Good luck, hope your baby improves soon.