Riley woke up on Monday morning crying piteously and when I went to touch his forehead I had to stop myself from collapsing to the ground howling “WHY, GOD, WHY?” because seriously, we just got over a round of feverish viral gunk two weeks ago, and the prospect of dropping right back into it was almost too much to bear.

The uncaring gods of bad timing don’t give a flying shit about anyone’s personal preferences, of course, so we wearily set up shop—installing Riley on the couch, creating an assembly line from our collection of half-full bottles of Motrin and Tylenol, putting up a cot in our bedroom for wee-hour ministrations, and hauling out the Barf Receptacle of Doom (aka the blue stockpot I guess I’ll probably never be cooking in again)—before getting down to the festive business of deciding who would stay home from work. The exact same routine we went through two weeks ago, down to the endless background blat of Curious George.

It turns out he has strep, for which his pediatrician prescribed the ubiquitous amoxicillin regimen. He woke up this morning fever-free and pretty much back to normal, so I’m feeling very ambivalent on whether or not to start the antibiotics. The amoxicillin won’t get rid of the strep, it’s used mainly to reduce time of contagion and prevent rare complications. Meanwhile, in my experience it totally wrecks their little gastrointestinal systems, starting about 24 hours into that endless prescription. I hate giving my kid something twice a day for TEN DAYS that’s going to give them the screaming fire shits, you know?

I’d love to hear your thoughts on antibiotics. Do you use them every time they’re prescribed? If you do use them, do you find that probiotics or something similar help with the collateral damage?

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jonniker
13 years ago

I only give antibiotics in the case of something like strep because of the rheumatic fever thing. Otherwise, I skip them altogether and, well, to be honest, AVOID them like the plague. Admittedly, my experience is entirely colored by the fact that I was riddled with UTI’s for much of my adolescence, and as a result, became immune to a fair amount of heavy-duty antibiotics. So this is a me thing, not a philosophical thing.

I would also like to second what others have said about probiotics. I’m insane about them, and can’t say enough good things about them. Adam has a chronic health condition that causes some pretty serious intestinal distress at the drop of a hat, and antibiotics RAVAGE him. I make him take probiotics three times a day, and it REALLY makes a huge difference. I don’t like Culturelle, oddly, as I don’t think it’s strong enough — hit the refrigerated section at Whole Foods, and you’ll find a ton of good ones. Jarro-dophilus is a favorite, as is the “super” probiotic variety.

You can use adult ones on Riley — just open up the capsule and slip it in some juice. Sam has them all the time and she never notices.

agirlandaboy
13 years ago

When I was little and got the fire shits from amoxicillin, my mom refused to let any doctor give it to me again. Which means *drumroll* there ARE other antibiotic options that will work. (I’m also allergic to penicillin AND my mom’s a nurse–both of which probably made it harder for them to bully her into amoxicillin, but still, it’s worth a shot.)

Gnometree
13 years ago

For me, it would depend o how the dr diagnosed the “strep”. If he took a swab, had it cultured and then the results cam back and said “a pathologist looked at this under a microscope and saw these little bugs crawling around that have been identified as strep” then absolutely take the AB’s. If he looked in his throat and said, “yeah, it’s pretty red and the most common cause of sore throats that look like this is strep, so that would be my best educated guess” then I’d wait it out and see what his own immune system can do. If you do start the AB’s then you have to finish them. Only giving half a course IS what causes major problems. Giving Amoxil with food sometimes helps the rear end problem, as can giving half the dose 4 times a day instead of the full dose twice a day

Maura
Maura
13 years ago

I would treat the strep, my son had untreated strep once that traveled into his lymph nodes and he ended up in the hospital on IV antibiotics.

Maybe a milder antibiotic on the stomach can be prescribed or the administer with the probiotics.

But I would rather deal with the gut problem then trying to deal with getting an IV into a small child.

Maura

Tina G
Tina G
13 years ago

Strep is the devil’s spawn. My daughter has OCD caused by recurrent (Yes-treated) strep. Every time she is exposed, we end up on the very strong stuff. It is called P.A.N.D.A.S. if you feel like scaring the living hell out of yourself and googling it. Rheumatic fever, heart damage- they are real. Treat the strep. It’s one disease you should always do follow the protocol.

willikat
13 years ago

Dude, at least they aren’t allergic to amoxicillin or pencillin (knock on wood)…I am and I have to take the Z-pak, which is three giant pills of PAINS and DIARRHEA. I swear I don’t know which is worse: the illness or the cure.

That said, treat the strep. Strep is a giant pain in the ass, and so many of us get it so often we don’t think it’s a big deal, but it is.

I do take Align (probiotics) for stomach issues anyway, and I think probiotics can almost never be wrong.

shauna
13 years ago

coming from someone who every single day takes care of patients with the ramifications of untreated strep wreaking havoc on their adult life? Give the anitbiotics. Every last dose of them. There are options other than amox if he doesn’t tolerate it. High dose zithromax, omnicef, etc.

Tricia
13 years ago

Truly, this is a question you should never ask of total strangers online. Why? I adhere to the “avoid antibiotics at all costs”, and my best friend/oncology nurse preaches that “antibiotics are a gift from God”.

I suppose the fine line I would lean toward is “all things in moderation.”

Sometimes physicians and such summarily toss us a script for some antibiotic. And some of us never complete the entire dosage. And then we have develop the antibiotic-resistant strains of whatever.

Take what you need, need what you take.

kristylynne
kristylynne
13 years ago

Wait, isn’t strep one of those bugs that can cause serious problems if not treated? I seem to remember that from when my son had it. As the daughter of an immunologist, I tend to give the meds when they’re prescribed, assuming I’m sure the diagnosis is accurate. But that’s just me.

kiki
kiki
13 years ago

Strep can turn into rheumatic fever which can leave you with permanent heart damage, rheumatoid arthritis, etc, stuff you you do not want to mess with. My mom ignored a sore throat in college, it was strep, and she ended up with both of those. It was hard enough to deal with as a nineteen year old, you don’t want that for your four year old. Go with the antitbiotics, load up on the yogurt or probiotics in juice. And do not just stop the ten day course, finish the bottle or you are creating super resistant bugs for the rest of the world. If it was an ear infection I would wait and see for a day or two. But strep is no joke.

Garnish
13 years ago

Just got over strep myself. You need the meds for this one. If you don’t kill it all it can lead to kidney issues. Suggestion is to call your doc and let him know that the pink stuff and his tummy don’t mix. They’re usually great about prescribing something else. And often that something else nips it in the bud much faster. Hope he, and everyone, feels better.

Kristianna
13 years ago

Boy, you’re in firestorm territory. :)

1) I always follow antibiotics with a round of PRObiotics. Helps get the gut flora that makes their bums happy back in working order.

2) I am very conservative about any prescriptions. Yes, there have been times when I use them. However, and you can google and read to find corroboration to this and just about any theory under the sun, so… HOWEVER, there is a lot of reason to believe that when we don’t really fight things ourselves, we don’t become immune for good.

3) Strep is tricky. I’m more cavalier about ear infections. :)

Megan
Megan
13 years ago

A pediatrician’s (and mother’s) perspective–very reasonable to concerned about antibiotic overuse, especially when it comes to ear infections. However, strep needs to be treated because of the risk of rheumatic fever–even though the actual throat infection can get better on its own–so if you had a positive throat culture, definitely treat! (With some probiotics as a chaser!) Hang in there!

郝赛汀
13 years ago

随便遛达遛达!
o(∩_∩)o

ElizabethZ
ElizabethZ
13 years ago

Holyhell – pink stuff gives the fire shits? I haven’t had that experience – talk about adding insult to injury! My twins are 6 days through a 10 day stint of the pinkness for an upper respiratory, feverish, HORRIBLE hacking (read cough till you puke) cough thing – one of the twins had to do 5 days of prednisone on top of that because they were afraid it was becoming pneumonia – he became an instant asshole – that was fun. But no fire shits. Thank the LORD.

I hope your little man feels better soon, give him the meds for the escalation reasons others have stated, but add the probiotics (if you don’t want to the do the capsule sprinkling thing, just get some activia – I think it’s the same thing – does he like yogurt?)

Donna
Donna
13 years ago

Def the antibiotics, def the probiotics.
I will never forget the 9th grader we found sitting under a tree on campus that had had untreated strep as a child, got rheumatic fever as a child, but had such a weakened heart that he had a heart attack and died at lunch, the very first day of high school. Just sat down, and died. You don’t dick with strep.
Scarlet fever is not the same thing.

Mel
Mel
13 years ago

For strep? Absolutely use prescriptions. Strep can cause SO many bad things! I once had it (but didn’t know it). Gave it to my boyfriend. We took him to the walkin clinic and found out that’s what he had and the doc also prescribed me an antibiotic as well because it can wreck havoc on your body. :p

Sue
Sue
13 years ago

I had untreated strep as a kid, developed nephritis, was in the hospital for months and have had to live with kidney issues ever since. Im totally on the fight strep with antibiotics bandwagon.

dj
dj
13 years ago

fresh out of med school here. while i agree that on many issues there are various opinions and options i think treating strep is a no brainer – the risks are real – rheumatic fever can cause lifelong disability. the reason amoxicillin is usually prescribed for kids is because it tastes better but strep throat can also be treated with a narrower spectrum antibiotic like penicillin v if you think your kid will take it.

hope this helps. please give him the AB!
dj

CBO
CBO
13 years ago

Probiotic yogurt helped Gideon with his fire-poop from the antibiotics. Took a day or so to take affect but greatly reduced the problem.

Steph
13 years ago

Strep is bacterial and requires the antibiotics unfortunately. Definitely use the probiotics but it won’t completely get rid of the symptoms. Honest to goodness what works the best? A shot of penicillin. It clears it up in 24 hours and doesn’t have quite the effect on their tummies. The shots suck but really it’s just over so fast. I know some people think it’s horribly mean but I just prefer it. Also it’s a little stronger right off the jump so it clears out the bacteria faster.

My aunt had Rheumatic Fever from untreated Strep. It can also lead to mono.

http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/rheumatic-fever

Linda
Linda
13 years ago

You guys, thank you for chiming in on this — I was wavering but after reading your comments I felt much better about going with the antibiotics. He started the first dose tonight and I’ll search out some probiotics tomorrow, Just In Case. (I actually don’t know how the amox will affect him because he hasn’t had to take it in years, I just know it did all kinds of bad stuff to Dylan’s diapers a few months back).

Ness at Drovers Run
13 years ago

I *do* use the antibiotics if the fevers don’t subside after 3 days. But I’ve never had them prescribed for more than 5 days. That seems to be the standard here, 5ml (1tsp) twice a day for 5 days. It does upset my kids stomachs a bit, but then the doc also prescribes pro-biotics to be taken at least 2 hours after the antibiotics, which at least prevents most of the stomach upsets.

Emily
Emily
13 years ago

Definitely do some probiotics. They work wonders. You can just buy a generic adult version (there are a gazillion variations you will find – just pick the most basic one – should only be about $8 or so) in a capsule form and break it open and sprinkle 1/4 to 1/2 of the pill on his food once a day. My doc had me give Cam 1/4 of a capsule, so I would think Riley could handle 1/2 a capsule. And have him eat lots of yogurt (the kind with live cultures….the heavily processed ones you will find do not actually have live cultures in them – just read the ingredients). Good luck!

Ginger
13 years ago

I did get scarlett fever – stayed out of school for a month in second grade and had a heart murmur for years. Now the murmur is gone, but say for example I wanted to buy life insturance – I will always be denied Treat the strep.

We call it itchy burny hiney hole but it mostly comes from food.

Jarrodophilus! In every drink!

Laurea
Laurea
13 years ago

Oh my god, look at all of us chiming in! I’m with pretty much everyone else – treat the strep and definitely do the probiotics. Dude, probiotics are the best thing ever. It makes a really big difference. Ug, so sorry about the sick again. Good luck!

Michelle
Michelle
13 years ago

I’m a childless pediatric nurse (which some parents seem to think cancel themselves out), and I wouldn’t mess with strep. Sinus infections and ear infections don’t get better much faster with antibiotics, but untreated strep could mean you get to come hang out with me at the hospital for a long time. Also, if you’ve given even one dose, you need to stick with it for the full course so you don’t risk creating resistant bugs. Probiotics are great, just make sure you’re separating them out from the amoxicillin, or it will kill the good bacteria.

Kirsty
13 years ago

Linda – yes, my daughters were both in daycare and got their fair share of runny noses (though nothing else that I remember – certainly nothing as terrifying as this mysterious “strep” – no idea what that is here, never heard our doctor mention it… it’s like “la bronchiolite”, which is some kind of major paediatric issue here in France yet unknown in Britain… *sigh* Why can’t all these doctors get their shit together and coordinate?!) but they mainly suffered from being bitten and whacked by other kids.
I don’t know, it’s strange. Maybe I will contact WHO (Nobel Prize here I come…).
In any case, I wish you the best of luck with this latest round of hell and I hope Riley gets better soon (and doesn’t contaminate anyone else!).

crisitunity
13 years ago

Kirsty – “strep” is a bacterial throat infection caused by the Streptococcus bacteria. It’s like the most unpleasant and painful sore throat you ever had and takes a while to get over.

SC Girl
SC Girl
13 years ago

Donna – I have a very similar story but the boy was in grade 8 at my school. Sad :(

Emily
Emily
13 years ago

Lactobacillius. I think that is how it is spelled. Our pediatrician had us open the capsules ($3.00 for a bottle of 60 at Target!! in the vitamin aisle) and sprinkle them in our daughters bottles when she had diapers of doom for what seemed like months when she was under a year. Now the antibiotics don’t seem to bug her when she takes them but I do give her the lacto and hold off on extra milk products which seems to make it worse.

Jaidnoire
Jaidnoire
13 years ago

Antibiotics do the same thing to my boy (2yrs) so the minute I start a prescription, I give him probiotics. We use Culturelle – one capsule per day mixed into yogurt or cold juice/milk. Always pus things back into balance!

BB
BB
13 years ago

Probiotics & yogurt!

Krissa
Krissa
13 years ago

I always reacted strangely to amoxicillan as a wee lass, similar to your children. Then one time, I got sick in high school and had to get a prescription for the first time in years, and the amoxicillan gave me a gorgeous, itchy rash all over my body. I’m the only child (of three) who ever reacted to it as a toddler/small child, and it developed into an allergy. It also never seemed to actually help, according to my mom.
If he really needs antibiotic treatment, see if your doc will prescribe something not so gastronomically upsetting. And keep an eye on him when he’s older – they wanted to give me a penicillan shot to the ass, but my mortified 15-year old self went for a month of pills – the allergic reaction would have been way worse if I’d taken the shot.

Carrie
Carrie
13 years ago

I always do use the antibiotics when prescribed. Just the way I roll. And, we always use Culturelle probiotics for the kids when they are on antibiotics or have stomach issues of any kind. It seems to really help! Hope he is feeling better soon!

Liz
Liz
13 years ago

When my guy had an ear infection recently, they prescribed something that was really quick. (Zithromyacin?) Might be worth asking if there’s something that would do the trick that doesn’t need the 10 days administration. Also, just a note about probiotics: it’s important to have those, but take them at least 30 to 60 minutes after the antibiotics or else the antibiotics will just kill all the goodies, too.

Trina
Trina
13 years ago

In addition to the probiotics, it helps my kids to stick to the “BRAT” diet. Bananas, rice, applesauce, Toast. The bland diet with the probiotics seem to keep them balanced.

Shawna
Shawna
13 years ago

If it seems to be resolving on its own and it were my kid I wouldn’t give the antibiotics, especially since, as you pointed out, the strep itself won’t be overly affected by them. My doctor would also tell me to do just that, since she is super-conservative about antibiotics.

Hope Riley is on the mend!

Shawna
Shawna
13 years ago

Oh, full disclosure, I myself am allergic to the penicillen family and am not supposed to even administer the stuff to my kids myself.

Kate
Kate
13 years ago

I hate to post this, I really do. I hate to be the person who always has the horror stories. Take it as one person’s experience, and do with it what you will.

An infection can go bad really quickly. My son Max, who was 13 months old and a healthy kid, got an ear infection. Because it went untreated, even though I called the doctors early Friday afternoon, over the weekend, he developed meningitis from a colonized bacteria. His immune system was worn down enough by the ear infection that he couldn’t find the bacteria the way he normally would. He passed away in February.

Before that? I probably would have skipped the antibiotics, too. Now? I never want to risk a less than fully functioning immune system again, even though I know that’s impossible.

Like I said, one person’s experience. I’m sorry if I offend you.

Linda
Linda
13 years ago

I’m so sorry, Kate.

Kristin
Kristin
13 years ago

Looks like you’ve got the AB covered (although, side note – do the ped’s factor in a “waste” factor when figuring the dosage?? Because I figure about 1/2 of ours never stays down – yummy, yummy stuff that it is! I have finally resorted to asking for Omnicef – it seems to be the best tasting, and requires the least amount of fighting, so if it will work, I go for it!)

I def do the probiotics when on ab…..lots of yougurt, and I found a great powder at the health food store called “Baby Flora” that you can mix into anything – yougurt, juice, sprinkle on ice cream, whatever – so I just load them up with that….it seems to help!

Hang in there……my oldest is 7 1/2 now, and the youngest is 3 1/2, and I am seeing the “light at the end of the tunnel” – we weren’t NEARLY as sick this year. I think their immune systems just have to mature & develop – we all have to take our dunks in the germ tank sooner or later, and unfortunately its that exposure that builds up your immune system. I figure they’ll be bulletproof in a few years :)

Hope this go-around isn’t as bad….. hugs!

teapotlady
13 years ago

This has nothing to do with Strep, but I had to comment after watching the tv series “Cougar Town” last night. The teenage boy on that series looks like Riley, only older, of course. Has anyone else ever noticed that? I think the resemblance is striking!

kim
kim
13 years ago

My daughter had strep many times and twice it went to scarlet fever – seriously – and that is serious. Better to nip the strep in the bud than risk something like that.

If it helps – my oldest was sick all the time (like yours) (I blame daycare) until she was about 5 and since then she’s never sick – everyone can be sick around her and she’s fine all the time (knock wood).

The pink stuff was often a battle (more because she didn’t want to take it than gastrointestinal distress) but I tried to give it to her regardless. There was something else – augmentan (not correct spelling) that did give her terrible runs and I had a hard time making her take that.

Steven
Steven
13 years ago

I’ve used them every time and give them a pill of probiotics with every dosage and they’ve never had any adverse gastro side effects.

KKF
KKF
13 years ago

Something to maybe soothe your nerves – I guess I got real sick for a short period of time when I was a wee-bairn too and the stuff the docs set me up with (in the 70’s) burned out all the good guys in my stomach. Hard.

Now here’s the soothing part: a couple of tablespoons of real yoghurt a week was all it took to get me back online again. I mean, sure, I still need to regularly hit the yoghurt to keep things… you know… squared away… but really that is (for me) the lingering after-effects of the uber doses of the pink stuff.

And really – everyone should be doing that “probiotic” thing anyway. So the near-future volcano-butt situation sucks, but even if it’s a total gastric burn-out, it’ll ultimately be okay.

And Kate – my heart breaks for you. I’m so sorry for your loss. Too.

Val
Val
13 years ago

Our doctor only prescribes antibiotics if absolutely necessary, and, like Jenny, we’ve noticed that the infection returns much more easily if we opt to not use them.

I typically up the yogurt intake when our little guy is on antibiotics, and we haven’t had major issues.

I’m glad Riley is starting to feel better, but I’m so sorry you’re dealing with this yet again. Sending happy, healthy thoughts your way.

Mel T.
13 years ago

Our doc recommends that every time you take a dose of antibiotic, have a serving of yogurt w/live cultures. It has made a huge difference in our kids’ fiery poop drama. And to parrot other posters here, don’t fool around with strep because of what it can develop into. Good luck!

bwsf
13 years ago

I’ve only had them prescribed for UTIs, and then they gave me IV antibiotics after I gave birth because I had developed a fever. And after the salmonella. But that was only a precaution and only for like half a day. I did always take them for the UTIs, because that is the only way to safely get rid of one before it spreads to your kidneys. And of course I took them for salmonella, and that was a really really strong one. But, I do know that taking them all the time over and over can really mess with your system. The strong salmonella one left me basically unable to digest anything. After 3 years of taking probiotics twice a day, I can finally eat raw veggies again. And, I have gotten antibiotic-resistant UTIs, likely because of taking so many in the past. If he’s feeling better, I guess I would hold off. But, I’m not an M.D. You really don’t want to mess with bacteria, they like to take over your body.

bwsf
13 years ago

P.S. I meant to say the post-birth antibiotics were a short term precaution. The salmonella one was like a two week regimen.