give antibiotics before trip??

[HappyDznyCamper]

With ear infections current thinking is that most are viral in nature and should not be treated with antibiotics, but most parents don't want to hear that so Dr just give the antibiotic anyway. My personal choice is to treat DS with advil and sudafed(pain control and decongestant to dry out) for a day or two if that doesn't help then a trip to Dr for antibiotic. But that is just me and DS is prone to fluid build up and Dr and I agree this a good option for us, it may not be for others.

 

[starbox]

Antibiotics can also cause nasty problems in your gastro-intestinal tract. My DD practically lived on antibiotics until two surgeries for her ears. An ear infection at Disney would not be my worst nightmare - because like many posters have said - Advil would keep everyone happy. Chronic stomach trouble, cramping and uncontrollable diarrhea would be much more likely to put a damper on my vacation - and we've experienced all three after a round or two of antibiotics.

I'd second the vote of filling the prescription and taking it with you. If you deal with chronic ear infections, you'll know if you need to start it. I know that my daughter's ears were so bad we could smell the infections when they started.

 

[wrldpossibility]

I'm glad to see everyone is responding the way I am...NO, no, and no! To the OP: if you are very concerned, I'd talk to your doctor about it. My sons got multiple ear infections, so it was a valid concern that they'd get one when we traveled. My ped. would send us with a script (not the bottle of med, but the paper script) and we were to call him if we suspected an ear infection (those of us who have kids with LOTS of them know them when we see them). He knows my kids well enough to diagnose them over the phone, then I could get the scipt filled locally. I've luckily never needed to use it, and I would never fill it without talking to him. Our doctor is a personal friend, but I know others who do so for their patients who have chronic ear infections. Maybe you could talk to yours.

Please don't give antibiotics preventatively though.

 

[angipoo]

The main thing, I would think, would be that you don't want your child in pain, right? There is an OTC homeopathic ear pain reliever called Similisan that is supposed to stop ear pain. My dad tried it and he said it helped. You could get a bottle of that to help in case your child has pain. You might also take the prescription along, because I have heard of docs giving "safety-net" presciptions, where they ask the parent not to fill the script for 48 hours to see if things get better on their own.

I am NOT a doctor, just a mom and these are some things I have seen to try to negotiate between docs worried about over prescribing antibiotics and parents wanting their kids to get better.

 

[Plantlady]

My 94 year old grandpa has created a resistance to all antibiotics. Now, when he gets sick, nothing will fix the problem. It is all because he took way too many antibiotics when he was younger.

 

[hsmamato2]

I'm glad to know that most people out there do know the reality- we shouldn't be overusing antibiotics anymore- they aren't a 'miracle' and resistance is developing.
if you take it,and give at the first sign of trouble, I have to assume you'd do it no matter where you were if child got sick- and any doctor who precribes without a culture needs to be updated on the new research which proves that a HUGE % of ear infections clear by themselves in the same span of time that the group taking the meds for it....
Antibiotics are not pain relievers either! tylenol(in careful doses) is-
If my kid had chronic problems-I'd speak to my doc beforehand, and be able to have him call a prescrip into the nearest pharmacy if needed- but this again is a flawed science, giving this stuff without clear proof that it's necessary is dangerous. just a stop gap measure, used once for vacation would be ok- but never preventatively-
I don't know the exact science on how these work, but 'bacteria' in the body somewhere? Our bodies are full of different bacterias at all times, some good, some not. broad spectrum anitbiotics desrtroy all bacteria, good,bad and ugly! This can result in terrible health consequences.
Healthy foods, taking airborne once a day, nutritious vitamins if you want(no junk food vitamins ) religious hand washing, sending wipes in their lunchboxes to school,keeping Purell in their backpacks and in the car... there isn't any guarantee anyway- I've been taking the kid to WDW for 13 years now, and somebody usually gets some complaint...no biggie, it's just life!
As far as knowing WHY ear infections occur, another suggestion could be allergies of some sort- many people have hidden sensitivities to food,airborne substances they never even imagined!

 

[MSSANDRA]

Neither would I give a healthy child an antibiotic, but if ear infections are a common thing at your house, I might get it filled and take it along. Chances are, as mommy, you know the signs and symptoms your child displays at the beginning of an ear infection. Having the medication along could save a long, tramatic and expensive visit to the ER at WDW. DS had so many ear infections that I aways knew when one was comming on. Our dr. would trust me to call her when I though he needed the antibiotic on a week-end and would check him on monday. I don't think I was ever wrong!!!!!

prayers for a healthy trip!!!!!

Mssandra

 

[twinkletoesmom]

Giving children antibiotics as a preventive measure may actually make them more susceptible to REALLY harmful bacteria. Antibiotics kill the natural bacteria in your gastrointestinal tract. These bacteria help keep you from getting sick by not allowing harmful bacteria to grow through competition. Without the normal bacteria in your gut, you are much more susceptible to disease.

There are peer reviewed studies that compare the incidence of salmonella infection in people who have taken antibiotics preventively and those who have not. It takes a much smaller amount of salmonella bacteria to make the person who took the antibiotic sick.

Bottom line....DO NOT DO THIS.

This is the kind of answer I was looking for. Thank you. And to alot of the other posters I'm not dumb and I stated it twice that I KNOW that an antibiotic is usless against anything viral. I must say that I do not give or go to Dr.s that will give my kids anti. at the drop of a dime. In fact my son was sick for over a week before I took him in, I waited to see if it would run it's course and it didn't. Also I know that if everyone thought this way where would we be but I don't think that IF i gave my kids an antibiotics one time that I will wipe out the human race or incease the amount of strong bacteria in the universe. But, as I said I found the info I was looking for thank you, now does anyone have any great ways of boosting a kids immune system?

 

[Kevenswife2]

...the over/inappropriate use of antibiotics is creating mutations in the bacteria so that we now have many super drug resistant bugs that sometimes cannot be treated with antibiotics. Not fun if you have a serious infection and it can't be treated.

...or if you have to sit by helplessly as one med after another is tried to 'kick' your child's bug!

 

[ferris198]

I cannot believe you would want to give your child medecine without him or her being ill.
My son was 3 before he had an ear infection. It broke my heart to get antibiotics for him.
His friend who is the same age has been on so many drugs, that he is immune to them all.
My husband works for a pharmacertical firm, and we always chech everything out.

 

[starbox]

But, as I said I found the info I was looking for thank you, now does anyone have any great ways of boosting a kids immune system?

They make Airborne tablets for kids - but my personal children would not drink it. I've had better luck giving them the Emergen-C powder drink (available at health/vitamin or natural foods). I'm an inner-city public school teacher and I swear by the stuff - I always take it at the first sign of feeling bad. Get your flu shots now - it takes 2 weeks to build immunity.

To lower the risk of picking up the bug the family before you might have had - I also take a spray can of Lysol and spray down our hotel room as soon as we arrive- including the remote control/phone/doorknobs. We carry Purell in each fannny pack and sanitize our hands after getting off of each ride and before eating anything. Hand-washing is by far the best way to cut down on illness.

 

[thirtycats]

I think giving antibiotics to a healthy child is a bad idea.
I think the current science is saying that even sick children shouldn't have antibiotics...unless there is definite proof that they have a bacterial infection.

We do Airbourne. Am still not sure if that stuff actually works or if it just is a placebo effect....but it seem to help us. Sort of. Usually.

Makes me feel better to take it.

 

[Monkeyfeet]

Not sure if this was mentioned. You coiuld have your child take probiotics. Those can be found at a nature store near you.

Children (adults too) shouldn't take antibiotics unless absolutely needed.

 

[twinkletoesmom]

I cannot believe you would want to give your child medecine without him or her being ill.
My son was 3 before he had an ear infection. It broke my heart to get antibiotics for him.
His friend who is the same age has been on so many drugs, that he is immune to them all.
My husband works for a pharmacertical firm, and we always chech everything out.

I am not saying I want to! I was hoping to get advice if this is bad or not, obviousially I care what is good for them or I would not ask! My son was also 3 when he has his first antibiotic so I am cautious. I really didn't think that here at the DIS I would get attacked for asking a question I really did not know the answer to. I thought we were suppose to be here to help eachother and share information but now I know to ask elsewhere. Thank you I think I will stick to asking disney questions only.

 

[StevePSU1]

Dont get too discouraged by Ferris' post. How people treat themselves and take medication can be a very personal philosophy. There are people on all ends of the spectrum.. You asked a common and very valid question in search for information. FWIW...

 

[HenDuck]

We all take it when we're waiting to board the plane. Then we take it during the flight. Then we take it when we get to our destination. I also take one every morning while travelling.

Knock on wood...it really works.

I think giving "preventative doses" of antibiotics is not only unnecessary but can have adverse effects down the road. Just my two cents.

good luck and stay healthy!

 

[woodlandsparty]

Here's what we do:


Both my dd's have ear tubes and frequent ear infections. My doctor give me a prescription to fill for antibiotics and I fill it in powder form . The pharmacist gives me one bottle with the measured antibiotic and in another bottle, distilled water with the dd's name on it that corresponds.

I only mix and give the antibiotic if they run a fever and/or complain of ear pain.

That's what I would do with that repeat.

Denise

I would do what this person said, and just fill the script and request the powder form. Then, just bring it with you to Disney. That way...the first sign of the sniffles, then you can give it to them. If you catch it early, it shouldn't take the antibiotic but 24 hours to start working anyway. Then, you aren't giving them something that they didn't need in the first place. Matter of fact....I think I'm going to take my own advice and do the same thing. We took a trip earlier this year and DS got an ear infection....we had a heck of a time trying to get in touch with the doc...get it called in to a pharmacy in a city that we weren't all that familiar with, etc....it was a mess that could have been avoided had I just travelled with the powdered antibiotic.

 

[StevePSU1]

Please take a few minutes to understand what causes ear infections and appropriate course of treatment. This link has recent and peer reviewed information.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/11/061106164651.htm

American Academy of Pediatrics recommends witholding antibiotic treatment in mild cases. 70% of ear infections have a viral component.

 

[crisi]

My daughter was very prone to ear infections as a baby. By the time she was eighteen months, she'd managed to develop a suspected allergy to penicillian. This is not good, because there are still a lot of illnesses where the penicillian family is the best treatment. So not only can the bugs become resistant, you can make yourself unable to take it.

We put tubes in her ears and the constant ear infections went down to maybe twice a year.

 

[Kevenswife2]

So not only can the bugs become resistant, you can make yourself unable to take it.

I had forgotten that aspect. When I was a child my mom took me to the Dr. for every cold and sniffle. I was always given a penicillin shot & pills for the next week...it was the wonder drug then. Now I have an allergies to penicillin, amoxicillin, erythromiocin, and tetrycycillin (I can't spell, but you get the idea). A couple of years ago my cat was on amoxicillin. I was giving her meds to her and she shook her head. A small drop landed on my lip and, without thinking, I licked it off (hey, my hands were still full of MAD cat). Boy was I sorry for doing that! It was Christmas Day and I had to sit there with the whole family, swollen face and itching everywhere.