baby with fever, presc. antibiotics

[verarae]

My DD developed a fever of 102 on Saturday night with it going up and down. She also had/has a runny nose (clear discharge) and developed a cough today (Monday). She got worse yesterday evening and threw up a couple of times; I did give her baby Tylenol because I was getting concerned about her constant temp. but she threw it right up. I took her to the Dr. and they didn't know what she had, could be an earache or even RSV. So they prescribed antibiotics, of course. I am wary of them anyway, especially not knowing what she even has. I am planning on waiting it out and if it worsens/stays the same then I will fill the rx. Just curious what you thought and what you'd do. Also, any better options than children's Tylenol for her fever? And if I do the antibiotics do you know of an infant probiotic?

[MountainMamaGC]

Unless your baby is a lot of pain I would skip the fever reliever. Your body can not make a fever so high as to cause injury, unless there is some kind of poisoning or sun stroke. It sounds viral to me. Just nurse as often as the baby allows. If the doctor doesnt know what it is then he probably gave you the prescription to make you feel like he did something. It sounds like a crap shoot to me. Go with your gut.

[verarae]

Thanks for the reply. The CDC website said there is no treatment for RSV and the antibiotics only help if the earache is bacterial. It sounds viral to me, too. Thanks for the response.

[Marnica]

I second that advice. I would not give abx for what you describe. I think it is malpractice to prescribe abx "just in case". abx are not exactly without downfalls and side effects and long term consequences.
Anyway I would also not be giving any fever reducer. If my child was super uncomfortable due to a fever I give homeopathics. There is a lot of evidence that interfereing with a fever (which is actually a GOOD response) can be quite damaging and actually make the illness last longer. Hope she feels better soon!

[k9sarchik]

I definitely wouldn't do the Tylenol or antibiotics. I would keep her comfortable with an extra little sweat shirt on. Keep having her drink fluids and put her on a BRAT diet. I'd be running a vaporizer or humidifier and also do steam baths in the bathroom.
I also give my kiddo homeopathics also.