Georgia Babies

Antibiotics

I wanted to get some opinions re: antibiotics.  My ever so sweet DH, drives me crazy in that the minute he hears an opinion from an outside source, even if I've given the same opinion earlier, he will get so hung up on the outside source's opinion, but that's for another post :) 

So MJD is now on his 4th ear infection and we've dealt with 2 bouts of strep, so we are looking at almost 6 different times on antibiotics in 16 months.  DH was on a work trip with a physician and it must have come up that MJD was back on antibiotics and the doc said that he tries to avoid putting his own kids on antibiotics because they will eventually become immune to them, etc.  Well now DH is on a high horse about it and literally yesterday took MJD to the pediatrician because I had a lingering feeling he had an ear infection and he did.  So that meant antibiotics, this time Augmentin.  DH is hell bent on not completing the full dose, where I'm thinking I want the ear infection gone and a happy/healthy kid.

I totally get where he is coming from, and maybe I haven't done the best job of asking for other options from the pedi, since I know it works to heal him, but seriously what else can you do in a case with an ear infection (I'm assuming tubes may be in our future) or with strep?

I would just love some thoughts/opinions/experiences, thanks!

Re: Antibiotics

  • If the infections are bad enough to cause symptoms, they are bad enough to need antibiotics according to my doc. I asked her if we could ride out a few ear infections unmedicated and she flatly told me no.  I would trust the opinion of the doc who has actually evaluated my child over some random airplane conversation. If dh has concerns, ask him to go with you next time to address.

     

    FWIW, ds had constant infections and ended up getting tubes and they have been amazing. He's allergic to two kinds of antibiotics so I'm very happy we don't have to use the other remaining ones as frequently. Antibiotic overuse isn't a good thing like the doc said, but with a legitimate infection and symptoms, I would consider it necessary use and not over use. 

     

    My bff's dh does that about the outside opinion stuff and it drives her crazy.  

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  • There is absolutely overuse and immunity to antibiotics.  But there is also proper dosage, use, and completion of antibiotics for appropriate reasons.  People need to learn the difference.

     
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  • Thanks already for the responses.  I'm definitely on both sides of the fence.  I'm a huge fan of giving him meds unless needed, besides he's a pill to give them to anyhow!
  • I've always heard that if you start a round of antibiotics and don't finish it out, it makes the infection much stronger and more resistant to antibiotics.  
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  • My pedi is very conservative with antibotics but whne he goes to strep or ear infections he gives antibotics. Personally I woulnd't wnat it any other way especially since I'm dealing with a 2 year old with speech delay due to chronic ear infections (and he got tubes at 8 months old).

     If you are worried about the ear infections then go to an ENT and get their opinion. Pedis are great but they do not specialize in ear, nose and throat problems. His strep issue might be going hand in hand with the ear infections.

     

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  • The thing is if you don't clear the infection then he can have hearing loss.  Hearing loss equals to speech therapy.  So I agree the # of times they are on it is not good but you have to get the infection cleared.  Also has your son been on the same antibiotic and this is the first time they have switched?  When you go to the specialist they see how many times he has had them in a certain period of time and also how many different antibiotics they have been on.  If they haven't been on enough variety then they will try different things before putting tubes in.

     

    Tubes are heaven.  Both of my boys have them.  My son's infection with all the fluid has given him speech delay.  He is in speech right now. But no hearing loss!!!!  HOORAY!!!

    But if you get tubes they might not be rid of infections.  My 2nd son has had infections with the tubes.  So they don't prevent them but get the fluid off the ears which helps so much.  Thank goodness he does not have any speech issues.

  • Not finishing the antibiotics is a main factor in bacterial resistance so I would definitely finish this dose.  But seriously, you need to talk to an ENT about those ear infections!  That's a lot and the tubes will make a world of difference!  Gavin is on his second set and we have been so pleased with the outcome.  I will not wait so long with Sophie.  She had her first ear infection a couple weeks ago and the pedi agreed- if it follows the same pattern as Gavin's, she will refer us to the ENT by spring/early summer.

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  • Thanks for the ENT push as well.  At Matthew's 15 month appt. the pedi did elude to the fact that we may be going that route. 

    And with regards to the antibiotics.  If my mind serves me correctly 4 of the times he's been on amoxicillian, after his May ear infection, then strep they did one that started with an O (sorry), then this ear infection, Augmentin. 

    Thanks again ladies!!

  • Once you start a round of antibiotics, you definitely have to finish it!

    And your situation may be totally different, since he is younger and has had several infections.  But since you asked for different options I just wanted to mention that last time my 5-year-old had an ear infection, her pediatrician said that the AAP's stance had recently changed to suggest that ear infections heal on their own in healthy children in a couple of weeks if you leave them alone.  You CAN treat them with antibiotics (to get rid of the discomfort more quickly, etc.), but you don't have to.  So I chose not to, and her infection went away. 

    Keep in mind this might be past a certain age, I don't know.  But he did say that doctors had just recently started to recommend holding off on the antibiotics for these routine infections. You should ask your pedi!

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  • Two things: <p> People don't become immune to antibiotics.  Rather bacteria mutate from multiple and prolonged exposures to antibiotics, which makes the bacteria resistant in the future, not the person. <p> <p> It's much worse in terms of creating antibiotic resistance to start an antibiotic and not finish the course than to complete it.  This gives the bacteria exposure to the antibiotic without killing it off, thus allowing it to mutate resistance to the antibiotic.  Please, please finish any antibiotics you start, unless there's an allergic reaction. <p> <p> If you're concerned about frequent infections, definitely talk to an ENT.  Tubes really are a quick and not too painful procedure...doesn't even necessarily require an IV.
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  • imageFortMyersBride:
    Two things: <p> People don't become immune to antibiotics.  Rather bacteria mutate from multiple and prolonged exposures to antibiotics, which makes the bacteria resistant in the future, not the person. <p> <p> It's much worse in terms of creating antibiotic resistance to start an antibiotic and not finish the course than to complete it.  This gives the bacteria exposure to the antibiotic without killing it off, thus allowing it to mutate resistance to the antibiotic.  Please, please finish any antibiotics you start, unless there's an allergic reaction. <p> <p> If you're concerned about frequent infections, definitely talk to an ENT.  Tubes really are a quick and not too painful procedure...doesn't even necessarily require an IV.

    Don't worry this Mama will be making sweet MJD finish his dose of antibiotics. DH travels so much, I'm pretty much in charge of it anyway.  He likes to think he's in charge :)

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