[ilex]

I haven't been having much luck in the Health and Healing forum lately, so I thought I would post this in a few places, and it is a parenting topic...Please don't move it!

My 13 week ds has a severe cough and a mild fever that is not abating, so does my dd. She is never this sick for this long. I have had this same cough and slight fever for over a week, without it looking like it is getting any better. Their coughs are horrible, my ds throws up after coughing,and I'm worried about him because he is so young.

When have you, would you give antibiotics, as I know this is what the Dr will prescribe today when we go. I have never done it, and never wanted to, but now I am questioning my hesitancy.

Help!

 

[2boysandadog]

I'd discuss the pros and cons w/ the dr. vomiting w/ a cough is common w/ babies - it's actually a "good" sign b/c they are getting the stuff out of their lungs. It's possible that the dr. will prescribe antibiotics, but not unless they have reason to believe it's bacterial. If they do want to prescribe antibiotics, ask what leads them to believe it's bacterial, then make your decision.
My ds is prone to bronchitis and pneumonia and usually the dr. likes to do a blood test before prescribing antibiotics. It helps him to know what bacteria is present so he can know which antibiotic will be most effective. Even pneumonia can be viral. In my experience, the "slow build-up" usually means it's bacterial, but I don't know if that's the case for everyone.
Don't know if that's helping any at all. And, another thing to note is that usually my gut instinct is right, so if you're thinking they need antibiotics, maybe they do.

 

[bec]

I would probably go with what my doctor recommended. They are very conservative with antibiotics, so when they prescribe them, I believe that they are needed. I trust my ped, though.

My kids have been on antibiotics once each. My first was given antibiotics when she was in the NICU. They said they give every baby antibiotics as a matter of course when they are admitted to the NICU. This was without my consent, and I found out about it afterward. She had no indications that she needed them. This was before we were with our current ped. My second was given antibiotics as a precaution after her surgery. I have no argument about that.

Bec

 

[meowee]

Antibiotics are for bacterial infections. It sounds like your DC have a cold, which is a virus. If your dr determines it is a bacterial infection, then antibiotics would be appropriate unless you wanted to try a natural rememdy.

Antibiotics shouldn't be taken for viral infections, because other than having a slight anti-inflamatory effect, they will not help.

You should try to avoid repeated use of antibiotics under any circumstances though.

 

[USAmma]

I agree with previous posters. Most doctors these days won't give antibiotics unless it's serious or prolonged. Your doctor may prescribe an inhaler first though. I'd be interested to hear how the apt. went.

My dd has been on 5 rounds of antibiotics for ear infections and post-op. I have since started giving her cod liver oil and it's helping to boost her immune system.

Darshani

 

[Mothra]

I give my kids antibiotics when there is proof that their illness is bacterial. I think my 7yo has had antibiotics three times, my 2yo once, and my 1yo never.

 

[mamangazelle]

I give antibiotics to my kids when I believe that they will not be able to fight it without them: when dd had an ear infection, I tried to let her heal on her own, but after a few days of high fever and no sign of improvement, I agreed to give her the antibiotics. It helps that my sis is a ped, so when in doubts of the actual risks, I can call her, and also have her monitor the improvement/worsening of the disease.

 

[boysrus]

OUt of my three boys(oldest one is 8) I have done antibiotics once, and that was when my 2 yo had bronchitis. That was one thing I wouldnt mess with. He had a cough for a month at that point, every night at bedtime.
Do you know whooping cough is going around? Dont know if that is what you are dealing with, and I dont mean to frighten you, but my friend and her family is getting over a round, and her girls would throw up during their coughing attacks. I am not saying that is what you guys have, just letting you know that, so you dont rule out the possibility

 

[nikirj]

DS had pneumonia recently and I gave him antibiotics for that. His only antibiotics so far (he's 3). He was throwing up after a coughing fit, BTW. He also had a fever and was looking listless/just sitting around (usually a very active kid) and breathing a bit faster than appropriate.

My daughter got antibiotics after she had an allergic reaction (we never identified what it was to) and we needed to use drugs that suppress immune function to some extent - she had recently fallen off her bike and bit her own cheek BADLY and it was looking overly puffy, and since a wound in the mouth that isn't healing quickly is highly suspicious and she was on the other drugs, we added an antibiotic to the mix. It healed up quickly after that (it had been healing slowly) but we're not sure if it was the antibiotics or if it had just reached a good point in the healing. She turns 5 in February and those medications (the antibiotics, and the medication for her allergic reaction) are all she's ever taken.

A good doctor will be able to tell you whether it is likely you're dealing with a virus, and will have the self-restraint to not try to 'fix it' if it does look like antibiotics won't help. Of course you have to be an informed consumer of your doctor's services - don't let them look your kid over once and write you a prescription - make them explain what they think it is and how the medication they propose will help out.

 

[boomingranny]

There's been an ugly strain of bronchitis around that quickly turns into pneumonia. Take them to the Ped and let her determine whether it is viral or bacterial...if it's a bacterial pneumonia you will need to do the antibiotics. pneumonia is no joke!

 

[BusyMommy]

I'd RUN to the naturopathic dr and try to catch it before it requires antibiotics.

I've given one of my boys anti. 2x: ear infection as a baby before I knew better and septic infection w/CP.

 

[ilex]

Thank you for all your replies! I don't know if things are better, but they are moving along. We went to the dr and she said it was viral, and to just keep an eye on them, and bring them back if it gets worse at all. My dd is energetic but her cough is ugly. My ds isn't feeling too great. no fever but his cough is pretty bad. When he throws up it is all mucous, so I am thinking this is his natural way of getting rid of all the mucous. His cough is a lot more loose today, and he seems to be clearing it better. He slept quite well last night too. His dark green poop is turning more orange, yay!

But now he seems to have a bit of an infection in his eye, he had some goop coming out of it today and yesterday, I have been putting bm in it, so hopefully that clears it up...

I am still quite concerned about the quality of their coughs though, very hard, full, barking almost. I know there is a bad chest virus going around, but it makes me worried that it is developing into something else.

Does anyone have any other suggestions for treatment? We are going to try to go to the naturopath today.

 

[sohj]

While you are taking care of it, you might also try making liquorice tea. It is from the liquorice root and is naturally very sweet. My son likes it. It is good for the endocrine system and is mucillaginous (so it soothes mucus membranes) and is good for coughs.

 

[ilex]

we went to the naturopath yesterday, she was amazing, and she determined that they are croupy. I agree the cough does sound croupy but neither of them are having trouble breathing and I thought that was a symptom...She said my dd was on the mend and my ds doesn't seem to bothered by it so she wasn't worried about them. She was worried about me however and said that my stress and not taking care of myself has caused my immune system to labor and my ds isn't getting the antibodies he needs because of this. I actually felt so much better after we left and my ds was his normal self for the rest of the night, it was amazing. This cough just lingers though, and with all the people suggesting it might be pertussis, it has me wondering... no whooping here though...

I will try that licorice tea today, i've had a hard time getting her to drink tea lately...I'm also going to pick up a thyme and licorice cough syrup.

 

[BusyMommy]

How about eucalyptis oil in the bath?