6 month old and antibiotics

[raevans]

Hi,

Wondering if I can get some advice. Took DD to the gp at the beginning of the week as she had a very chesty cough which I could feel through her back and chest when holding her. Eyes were very gunky and streaming and blocked nose. Temp was normal.

GP did a thorough check and said crackles could be heard when listening to her chest but that they thought it was due to mucus in the nose and throat and not from a bacterial infection. GP did prescribe antibiotics and said to only give them if she gets a temperature or goes off her food.

Fast forward 5 days and DD is no better but does seem alright in herself. Yesterday she had a slight fever but calpol brought it down to normal. Temp has been normal since. She is still very bubbly in the chest etc. Her cheeks, however, are very red and she feels warm but temperature is not high. She also could be teething. She’s not off her food and she is still playing, maybe a little more grumpy at times. She does seem to be rubbing her ear a lot but GP checked ears and said they were fine. Really unsure what to do. Quite scared that she may have an infection and holding off on the antibiotics she could get really unwell but also don’t want to give antibiotics unwillingly.

Would appreciate any advice, thanks in advance!

I'd give her the antibiotics, could be an ear infection.

I'd keep an eye on the ear bit but most of the symptoms sound like teething to be fair. As long as they're eating and drinking well, produce nappies and generally well in themselves I tend to just roll with it

The main sign of an infection in babies is a high temperature so it's a good sign she doesn't have that. If she has a cold/virus then she may just have a bit of earache. It's hard to say, but I think from what you've described if it was my child I would still hold off on the antibiotics if she's otherwise well in herself and no temperature.

I'd phone the GP back for advice as it's 50/50 really