Bacterial meningitis and preventative ABX. Help!

[jillmom]

My mother has just been admitted to ICU with bacterial meningitis.  I have just flown down here to Mexico to take care of things.  We see my mother for a few minutes, twice a day.  We are careful to use antibacterial gel, double gowns and face masks.

When at the hospital today, the doctor suggested that we all go on preventative ABX as a precaution.  The name of the ABX is Ciprofloxacino (I believe that is the Spanish name), 1 tablet, 500 mg, every 8 hours for 7 days.

I have been told that this is an extremely strong broad-spectrum antibiotic and have been urged not to take it.  I would prefer not to, but seem to be feeling some ear pain and am concerned that I *COULD* have been exposed and the streptococus strain could be presenting as otitis media.

I wonder what everyone's thoughts are?  Would you take the ABX or try to treat homeopatically with some Oil of Oregano and probiotics?  Without the presence of the ear pain, I would opt out of the ABX completely.

[sbgrace]

If I were being exposed to bacterial meningitis I would take the preventative antibiotic (along with great probiotics) without a hesitation. What I'm unclear about in what you described is if you are really being exposed. Are the precautions you take and the contact you have the same as her doctors/nurses. If so, do they feel they need the antibiotic? Who is urging you not to take it? Are they medical professionals and do they know of the ear pain.

I'm not scared of antibiotics and appreciate they sometimes save lives (misuse and overuse aside) so if I felt I was at risk for bacterial meningitis I undoubtedly would take them.

[Panserbjorne]

I don't know I would take them prophylactically....but if symptoms started to present I would be singing a different tune.