Sick Kid...to give antibiotics or not?

[prone_to_wander]

My DS is 1.5 years and the dr thinks he has bronchiolitis. He prescribed the antibiotic clarithromycin and the steroid flovent.

So, I'm ok with giving him the flovent, but not so keen on the antibiotic. I left the drs office and looked up bronchiolitis and it says it is viral, not bacterial. Talked to the pharmacist, who said it could still be bacterial...I'm feeling conflicted about whether to give the antibiotics. Thoughts anyone?

[VisionaryMom]

I would have given it a year ago. When my husband lost his job, we lost our health insurance. I was super-worried about what to do if the kids got sick. They've both gotten ill for things I would have taken them to the doctor for before, but I just treated them at home with natural methods. I am 90% sure that DS had strep throat, but I read on both alternative (Dr. Sears) and mainstream (WebMD) sites that the body almost always will heal itself in an otherwise healthy person. I did what the sites suggested, and he was better in about 3 days, same as with antibiotics. So now, I think even going back on insurance that I will be more reluctant to give antibiotics unless I think they're absolutely warranted. In your case, the problem is mostly your son's comfort level. I don't know that I'd make him suffer for weeks feeling terrible, but I would think with rest, fluids, and careful attention, he may heal without the meds.

[Ravenlunatic]

I of coarse can only speak to what I would do in this same situation.  And actually I don't know... how much fever, how much pain, how much coughing would all weigh on my decision.  Also, my husband I know would be like YES, GIVE HER MEDS, and so I would also be factoring that in. 

Personally if the fever and cough and pain were manageable with Tylenol and cough syrup I would go that route.  Also boosting with garlic and onion infused chicken broth,Homeopathics and tea.

If I did give her the meds I would have her on a HIGH dose of probiotics and also all the aforementioned remedies too.  I would put sterioids in the same basket as antibiotics and do not consider one safe and the other okay. 

Good Luck