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Is It Necessary To Take Antibiotics When Child Is Having Virus And Difficulty In Breathing?
my 9 yo son has gotten a virus the last 2 winters and has one now. He gets croup (I know he is old for this, but it started when we moved from Texas to Colorado) and has difficulty breathing. The last 2 winters, they prescribed prednisone and cough syrup with codeine. He always gets better after the prednisone. Today, the ER doctor prescribed prednisone AND cephalaxin antibiotic. My son s ears, throat and chest x-ray were clear. The chest x-ray did not show pneumonia, but did show some bronchiolitis. Is it necessary for him to take the antibiotic? His highest fever was 105 (before medication) and today w/out fever reducers is 103. Thank you.
posted on
Thu, 13 Mar 2014
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Thu, 8 Mar 2018
Answered on
Wed, 14 Mar 2018
Last reviewed on
Anonymous's Response
Anonymous's
Response
Hello! Welcome to HealthcareMagic!
Yes, it is necessary because in very high grade fever we are suspecting some infection, we prescribe antibiotic to make sure that if there is any underlying infection it get resolve with antibiotics. If we don't give antibiotics in child with high grade fever and breathing differently; underlying problems can deteriorate the child condition. So play safe and prescribe prophylactically.
Thank you for contacting us. Hope this clarifies your concerns.
Take care
Regards,
Dr. Aakash Manohar, Pediatrician
Yes, it is necessary because in very high grade fever we are suspecting some infection, we prescribe antibiotic to make sure that if there is any underlying infection it get resolve with antibiotics. If we don't give antibiotics in child with high grade fever and breathing differently; underlying problems can deteriorate the child condition. So play safe and prescribe prophylactically.
Thank you for contacting us. Hope this clarifies your concerns.
Take care
Regards,
Dr. Aakash Manohar, Pediatrician
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