Antibiotics

[heart of peace]

Hello,

My son has contracted Bronchitis (from my hubby). Why is he being prescribed an antibiotic by his doctor's office? Doesn't bronchitis stem from a viral infection?

 

[Birbitt]

Actually Bronchitis can be both Viral and Bacterial so if your son's pedi is giving him Antibiotics then he probably suspects a bacterial form of the illness and that's the only way to get rid of the bacteria so that your son can feel better.

 

[heart of peace]

Thanks Birbitt for responding

I searched online and I didn't come across that piece of info. I didn't realize bacterial infection could lead to bronchitis. I always thought bronchitis was caused by a viral infection. How can they be sure it is bacterial versus viral though? Or do they just prescribe antibiotics in case it is bacterial without knowing for sure? All she did was listen to his lungs and she heard the wheezing in it. He recently had croup too and she was aware of this (about a month ago).

 

[jgonz]

From what I understand bronchitis is actually a secondary infection stemming from a virus, so antibiotics would be prescribed for the secondary infection itself (not the virus).

 

[Birbitt]

Unless the Dr acutally does a culture or swab of the sputum (the stuff he's coughing up) she can't know for sure if it's bacterial or viral but some dr's will prescribe the antibiotics just in case.

 

[Hadassah]

I used to get bronchitis along with my sinus infections, so I remember getting things like Zpack (Zithromyacin) and similar stuff. I'm allergic to Sulfa meds, Ceclor and Penacillin - so I am loads of fun if I get a bad infection.

Thankfully they've lessened or been eliminated since I went gluten free. I got where I would get a sinus infection or bronchitis 2-3 times a year

 

[JayCeeGirl]

It was probably a just in case in order to provide some immediate relief for you kiddo if it is, in fact, bacterial. Otherwise you'd have to wait a few days on a culture.

 

[heart of peace]

I was just wondering since I continue to read in medical journals about how antibiotics are overprescribed and causing certain bacteria to become immune to the antibiotics making it a more dangerous situation. This will be his third time on antibiotics and he's not even 4 yet. I just don't want to give antibiotics if I can do homeopathic things at home and achieve wellness just the same (albeit a bit longer). Either way, his bronchitis seems to be dissipating.

 

[JayCeeGirl]

I agree that antibiotics are waaaaaay over prescribed, but, I dunno, in this case the doctor was probably worried about your lo developing pneumonia too. It seems to me that doctors tend to be cautious, if not overly cautious, when it comes to young children and respiratory issues.

 

[jgonz]

While he's on the antibiotics make sure you give him acidopholus or probiotics. That will strengthen his gut and he'll heal faster. Also, you can give him Astragalus, which helps boost the immune system (but you don't have to take a week off every 2 like you do with Echinacea). Also excellent is Garlic, Vit. C, and Zinc. There are children's formulas of all of these (although Garlic you can just cook with).

 

[BeanMak]

I am with Hadassah Sukkot. I developed bronchitis every winter from bad sinus infections. I would cough most of every winter until my mother got tired of hearing me cough and finally get me to the doctor for antibiotics. After 24 hours on the antibiotics I would be much better. If a sinus infection leading to bronchitis is your son's problem I HIGHLY recommend Nasal washing with a neti pot. It changed my life. I have been sinus infection free for 3 years and ergo no antibiotics!http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nasal_irrigation

 

[heart of peace]

Thanks for all the replies. jgonz, I just picked up a book called Herbal Antibiotics to learn more about the things you mentioned. BeanMak, that neti pot looks awesome, but I don't know how I'd get a fussy/sick preschooler to use it when necessary. Any pointers?

 

[Birbitt]

I have to tell you all that when I went to the dr yesterday and she suggested a nasal rinse for my nasal congestion I almost told her she was nuts (yes I'll admit I'm one of those people who prefer medicinal methods...I guess that's just the way I was trained) but I took the sample she gave me and went home and put it on a shelf. Well this morning when I woke up so congested that it hurt because of all the pressure I was willing to try anything...so I got it off the shelf and mixed the little packet in the bottle...leaned over the sink and tried it...IT WORKED! Now it made me throw up the water I had just drank (mostly psychological on that count) but it worked! Now I'll be purchasing refills for that thing later today as it says to use twice daily and her sample only had two packets.