Kids to Go on Antibiodics for First Time...

With antibiotics there should have been at least a strep test done or something. What is the diagnosis for giving them??? So unless it is a proven bacterial infection, then don't give them. Antibiotics don't work on viruses.

My kids have been on antibiotics, no probs! My second was on them as early as 12mo-13mo for an ear infection that would not go away on its own. Good luck!

My son was 9 months- and it was amoxicillan. side effect diarrhea.

You can offset the runs with yogurt and bananas.

Daughter was also 9 months, same thing as my son.

Was this the MMR shot? If so, my daughter had the same thing exactly 10 days after the shot. 104 fever, spiked to 105.5. It eventually went away on it's own.

The runny nose and congestion may have caused an ear infection. Amoxicillan is pretty basic anti-biotic. I would not worry about giving it to them.

Though I haven't read the responses to your request, I am sure you're going to have alot of DON'T DO IT people on here. Antibiotics are prescribed for a reason and if your kids are 15.5 months old and have not been prescribed anything to date - then your ped doesn't sound like an "overprescriber" and I would do it.

First of all take a deep breath, most kids do fine with antibiotics. The worst side effect I ever had for my kids was diahrrea and some not so nice diaper rash. Not a great thing, but not the worst in the world. Just feed them the B.R.A.T. diet while they are on antibiotics if it upsets their tummies, and make sure to give them yogurt with probiotics every day, oh and lots of liquids ask your doc about pedia light or Gatorade with water if they are coughing: it really does wonders to help with their tummies, any doctor I have ever talked to agrees. Also, there is a lot of nasty stuff going around right now, my kids are actuallt getting over pneumonia. Croup is going around, as well as strep throat, which my daughter had earlier this month. Also, don't worry about them becoming immune to antibiotics if this is only their first round, amoxicillin treats most thing well, and if it doesn't they have plenty others. It's only if they have to have them repeatedly (like my son did) that they can build resistance to them, but also if you have a bacterial infection you need them to get better. I just read recently that one of the major reasons that antibiotics are not as effective as they used to be is because not only do people take them when they shouldn't for thing like colds and such, but they are also not taking them for the prescribed length of time (7 days instead of 10) and they feel that this is what is causing bacterias to mutate and render some antibiotics useless. That being said, I hope they feel well soon.

If they had the MMR vaccine, the fever is probably from that. It generally shows up 10-14 days AFTER they get the vaccine. However, your doc must have some reason for wanting to put them on antibiotics.

Read the current issue of Newsweek. There is a very interesting article about microbes and the use of antibiotics. If there is a history of allergies or asthma in your family I would not do it unless it was something serious. Good luck!

Does the doctor have a reason to suspect bacterial infection? If not, antibiotics will do nothing except upset their body chemistry. Antibiotics do not affect viral infections. About 2 weeks isn't really a long time to suffer from a viral problem. Many people will take antibiotics and think they feel better because of them, but actually it's because the virus runs its course in the same amount of time as the antibiotic prescription.

As for side effects, you will want to watch their diaper areas carefully for yeast. Their mouths may have yeast problems as well, especially if you are breastfeeding. Most likely they will get diarrhea as well because antibiotics affect the "good" bacteria lining the digestive tract.

If it were me, I would stay away from the antibiotics unless you know the infection is bacterial or your kids suffer from some sort of complication or lung problem that would make a bacterial infection more likely or more dangerous (for instance pneumonia is often bacterial but it tends to come as a result of a viral infection that compromises the respiratory system's ability to maintain itself). My kids have each taken antibiotics once or maybe twice with the expected side effects. Because I am partially deaf due to scarring from ear infections as a child, I tend to want to treat ear infections in my kids aggressively so I err towards antibiotics if they have a persistent ear infection.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do and kudos to you for researching it first.

Hi Nicole!

I know my son was under 2 when he 1st had antibiotics. There have never been any side effects in my son or daughter. Now that my son is older he has the choice of liquid or chewables. You must have some reservations about giving antibiotics and I hope you talk to the doctor about what those concerns are. He/she may be able to address your them and give you some answers. Whatever you decide, you need to be comfortable with that decision. I hope your little ones are feeling better soon!

Nicole,
I am going to have to agree with Courtney. Unless there is proof that there is an actual infection, I would stay away from the antibiotics.

My boys have gotten fevers and sometimes its from teething and sometimes its from a virus. Make them as comfortable as possible. Both of my boys also had high fevers for several days and we couldn't figure out why and it turned out to be roseola (high fever for 4-5 days with no other symptoms and as soon as the fever broke, they got a rash on their chest). The good thing about that is that they only get that once.

Anyway. If it turns out to be an infection, I can offer you natural alternatives to antibiotics. My 4 year old has only been on antibiotics once (pneumonia). Antiobiotics DO mess up you child's ability to fight infection on its own. It kills the bad and good bacteria and then there is a whole mess of problems that come along with that.

So, long story short, unless they have been tested for an acutal infection, I wouldn't give my kids antibiotics.

B.

I also wonder why the doctor would prescribe antibiotics if no infection has been observed. 9 times out of 10, our pediatrician says "virus" and we give tylenol. (the 1 time out of 10, there's a visible infection of some kind.)

But the reason I responded was to tell you to watch out for augmenten if that's what they want to prescribe. I know it doesn't bother some kids, but my kids get horrible diarrhea on it (and it's one of the side effects on the label). It was really confusing the first time one of the kids got the medicine, because I thought it was just unlucky timing with a bug, but it was the augmenten.

I thought you give a cold 6-7 days before trying antibiodics. My son unfort has been on some power antibiodics a few times before he was 2. The side effects are long term building an immunity to them, just as the major wide concern w/antibiodics. I don't think there were any other sideeffects. But one thing i can say... is that if one person in the family has it and needs antibiodics, its easier to put the entire family on at once then ping pong it back and forth.

My son is on his 3rd course and is only 9 month old. Recurring ear infections. Don't worry too much--Amoxilicillin is very mild.

My daughter had her first round of anti-biotics at 11 months for a pretty severe double ear infection. It took another round immediately after the first to clear it up. But, since then, she has been anti-biotic free (and just turned 2)... :) Good luck... I can imagine it's a challenge having 2 sick ones at the same time!!

Hi Nicole,

My youngest son (now 15 months) has been put on antibiotics at least 6 times since he was born. He just finished a 10 day dose of amoxacillian for an ear infection and I don't think it did anything. I think he still has his ear infection. He tends to need to drink more fluids and he gets diarreah. Every time he teeths or gets a runny nose he gets an ear infection. I was just at the emergency room last month for one and then back again almost 2 weeks ago. What kind of prescription did you get? The pink stuff (amox) isn't nearly as harsh on them as the white stuff (not sure of name). I wouldn't be to worried, they will probably be just fine. I would watch for rashes which could indicate an allergy.

Good luck!!!

N.

I would ask your doctor why, exactly, he feels the need to prescribe antibiotics. If the flare-up is from the vax, then unless there is a bacterial infection, the antibiotic will do nothing. It will be one of those things to watch the fevers and try to control them a bit with fever reducers, if needed.

This should also be reported to VAERS (https://secure.vaers.org/VaersDataEntryintro.htm). In fact, every time your child has anything "negative" happen within 1-15 days AFTER an administration of a vaccine, it should be reported.

If you do decide to give antibiotics, you need to push fluids (pedialyte, water) and "good" foods (yougurt, etc). My daughter had her first antibiotic (penicillin) at 2 1/2 due to a bad ear infection. It gave her really bad diarrhea. She ended up in the ER to get an IV since when she doesn't feel good, she refuses to eat/drink anything.

Good luck...and remember that you should always follow your mommy intuition. If there is something that concerns you, even with your doctor's reassurance, you can always get a second opinion from another doctor. You do not have to just go by what one doctor says (and not a second opinion from another doctor in the same practice).

What is the actual temperature? If it is a low grade fever, I would pass on the neds and make sure they are eating well ( no sugars) and drinking enough. If they are battling 104-105 fevers for four days in a row, I would be concerned. The doctor is prescribing the antibiotics because, well, they figure it won't hurt. I have never given my baby antibiotics and she is four. I have never had anything too serious with her and I am thankful for it. I do believe in the blessing of antibiotics and I am SURE I will give them to her when they are needed. I just feel as though doctors hand out antibiotics like they used to hand out suckers after doctors visit. Good Luck Momma! However you decide, your babies are lucky to have a concerned Momma like you.

Allow me to start out by saying I have had one child who has had to suffer through illness after illness as a baby. He had his first ear infection at the age of 3 months and suffered through those repeatedly for next few years. After a couple of sets of tubes and natural growth as well, they have finally subsided. He has had all sorts of illnesses, influenza, pneumonia, hand foot and mouth, strep throat, and has been on a slew of antibiotics as a result.

Antibiotics have a strong tendency to cause diarrhea, so be sure to keep them full of fluids. I find it hard to believe both babies would be having the exact same reaction to the immunizations; though I can say my little one ended up with a mild case of chicken pox after that shot, so it's not out of the realm of possibilities. However with fevers that high it does point to bacterial. I agree with asking the doctor why he think the antibiotics are necessary. I have found some doctors will prescribe them just to shut you up and get you out of the office/hospital room. It sounds like they may have a viral infection; if the sinus drainage becomes yellow that is infection; green snot is dead infection. Green is good, yellow is bad :) Clear, well that's okay most mucus is clear or milky looking anyway.

The other moms are right; repeat administration of antibiotics causes certain antibiotics to become useless. Though I never allowed my son to be treated with them in the case of a viral infection, as they would do no good, with all of his ear infections amongst other things I had no choice but to allow the antibiotics. His ears were so bad he would wake up in the morning and literally almost as soon as he would sit up, puss (and sometimes blood) would drain, pour almost, from one of his ears. Even to the point where the infections wouldn't come with fevers anymore, they were so frequent. Anyhow, he is now somewhat resistant to lower levels of antibiotics. With all the past treatment he has to have stronger doses to actually get well when he's sick. And those come with worse diarrhea, but fortunately after having gone through all this early in life, he's now a healthy kid (with the exception of the asthma, which I suspect he will grow out of).

Make sure if you administer the medication, they finish ALL of it! Not finishing courses of antibiotics is another way certain strands of bacteria become resistant to them.

Sorry that was so long!

I would do a bit more research its very rare for kids to have side effects 10 days after vaccinations. It could just be a virus if it is antibiotics are not going to help. I would do a bit more research on their symptoms.

http://64.233.167.104/search?q=cache:-z4MbB9Yzj4J:www.ant...

If you do think they need the antibiotics be sure have then drink lots of fluid.

Hi Nicole,
G. here. I have three children and all have been put on antibotics at one time or another. The only side effects to them is if one or both of your kids are allergic but the doctor can tell you more about that with this being the first time you have to try what the doctor perscribes and hope. I only had child that was allergic and we just stoped giving that one and went to another. Hope this helps. G.

Watch for rash, especially prickly, red raised rash. My 15 mo just had a fever for 5 days mostly low grade but had 1 at 102.7. He then started with runny nose and cough. I respect your md's opinion but it sounds more viral to me. Antibiotics wouldn't help that. The virus would have to run it's course. I originally thought the fevers were due to teeth but after 102 I ruled that out b/c a fever wouldn't get that high with that, and sure enough by day 6, no fever, just cough and now that is gone, no ATB. Good luck.

WOW I am suprised they have not been on antibiotics before now. All of my 3 kids have been on them several times, a lot younger than that and they have had no side effects or any problems. The most it will probably do is make them a little sleepy which is good cause they can sleep the cold out. I hope this helps. I wouldn't worry too much. I'm sure they will be fine. If you have any more questions feel free to contact me.

My son was 14 months old and went on antibiotics for an ear infection with no problem. It was oral amoxicillin. P.s. My triplets were born the same month & year as your twins on the 14th!

Hi Nicole,
My son was between one ane one and a half the first time he had to take antibiotics. For him, it was due to an infection caused by excema. It was very disheartening to us, because we had been pretty willing to give his body time to try to fight any infection. However, twice his doctor felt, and we agreed, that he really needed the help. It made a huge difference, and he has since received it once for an ear infection that didn't go away (he is 5 now). If you and your doctor feel this is the right move, don't drive yourself crazy. As with everything, try to do your best for your child, and then try to let go of unnecessary guilt. (If you're trying to help your babies get better, and you're following the best information available, you have nothing to beat yourself up over.)
Take care of yourself and your family,
K.