usvi-on-line
the flu, part two
the flu, part two
so my son was well for a week (during which he broke his hand) yesterday he spiked a fever again --we brought him in and they put him on ABX (amoxicillan), but after more than 24 hours he is running a higher fever than he had before--
(103) I guess we wait until a bit later to see how the tylenol kicks in--but has anybody seen any antibiotic resistant post h1N1 'superinfections'? Should we take him back and get a different medication? (which is how we are leaning) they didn't do a CXR because it wouldn't have influenced RX (either way he would have been given ABX) but now i am wondering if we made the right decision.--I have never seen my little guy so sick. EVER. (and i don't scare easy in this regard)
thanks for any insight.
Lori
(103) I guess we wait until a bit later to see how the tylenol kicks in--but has anybody seen any antibiotic resistant post h1N1 'superinfections'? Should we take him back and get a different medication? (which is how we are leaning) they didn't do a CXR because it wouldn't have influenced RX (either way he would have been given ABX) but now i am wondering if we made the right decision.--I have never seen my little guy so sick. EVER. (and i don't scare easy in this regard)
thanks for any insight.
Lori
< leaving on the 22nd of march...but too lame to figure out the ticker thing again!>
Loria, I sold antibiotics for over 10 years. That was 9 years ago, and at the time there was about a 50 % resistance to amoxicillin.
What we would generally say is to give any antibiotic 3 doses. Usually an antibiotic would reach "steady state" by that time. While there would not always be a huge improvement by that time, you would not expect the patient to worsen.
I would not be alarmed at all about the concept of resistance (so much is resistant to amoxicillan that doctors expect failures), but I would take him in tomorrow morning if things are still bad (or even tonight if the fever goes up or he has difficulty breathing or something particularly bothersome).
There is a pretty good chance they will need to switch antibiotics. If he is really sick they may need to put him in the hospital for IV antibiotics- I know of several people who were hospitalized recently for this (related to H1N1). I think it was a precautionary measure--they were fine and literally released in about 24 hours.
But as far as a "superbug", amoxicillan resistance would not be a big indicator of that. The "superbugs" are resistant to much more.
Finally, I doubt this is it, but I guess there is possibility of a bone infection if he broke his hand. If that fever continues I imagine the doctor would need to consider that. I don't know much about those infections though and I don't think amoxicillan would cover that but I am not 100 percent sure.
Try not to worry too much. Hope he is better soon. You didn't do anything wrong. Just keep close tabs on him as I am sure you are. And if you are extremely worried or if your maternal instinct is shouting that something is seriously wrong, just take him to the ER and don't apologize for it.
I also distinctly remember a doctor saying that the # (degrees) of the fever were not as important to him as the presentation of the patient. So don't be way too worried about the actual temperature. Look at other signs and symptoms also.
Disclaimer: I am not a doctor and know just enough to be dangerous!
What we would generally say is to give any antibiotic 3 doses. Usually an antibiotic would reach "steady state" by that time. While there would not always be a huge improvement by that time, you would not expect the patient to worsen.
I would not be alarmed at all about the concept of resistance (so much is resistant to amoxicillan that doctors expect failures), but I would take him in tomorrow morning if things are still bad (or even tonight if the fever goes up or he has difficulty breathing or something particularly bothersome).
There is a pretty good chance they will need to switch antibiotics. If he is really sick they may need to put him in the hospital for IV antibiotics- I know of several people who were hospitalized recently for this (related to H1N1). I think it was a precautionary measure--they were fine and literally released in about 24 hours.
But as far as a "superbug", amoxicillan resistance would not be a big indicator of that. The "superbugs" are resistant to much more.
Finally, I doubt this is it, but I guess there is possibility of a bone infection if he broke his hand. If that fever continues I imagine the doctor would need to consider that. I don't know much about those infections though and I don't think amoxicillan would cover that but I am not 100 percent sure.
Try not to worry too much. Hope he is better soon. You didn't do anything wrong. Just keep close tabs on him as I am sure you are. And if you are extremely worried or if your maternal instinct is shouting that something is seriously wrong, just take him to the ER and don't apologize for it.
I also distinctly remember a doctor saying that the # (degrees) of the fever were not as important to him as the presentation of the patient. So don't be way too worried about the actual temperature. Look at other signs and symptoms also.
Disclaimer: I am not a doctor and know just enough to be dangerous!
"Sponges grow in the ocean...I wonder how much deeper it would be if that didn't happen."
Loria,
If you are leaning towards going for a different med, go for it. I would at the very least try to reach the person who prescribed the 1st med, and tell them of your concerns. Let your instincts guide you though. You know your child better than anyone, follow your gut. Hope your little guy is well soon.
Oh and how did he break his hand?
If you are leaning towards going for a different med, go for it. I would at the very least try to reach the person who prescribed the 1st med, and tell them of your concerns. Let your instincts guide you though. You know your child better than anyone, follow your gut. Hope your little guy is well soon.
Oh and how did he break his hand?
Loria, I hope you son feels better soon. As a parent, no one could make me feel like I shouldn't take every precaution to make sure that my kids are getting the best care they can get. I agree with DJMOM--if you decide to take your son in for a second look do not apologize. Sometimes health care professionals have big egos and make us feel bad for questioning the care or outcome that correlates from their care. Do not let that affect your decision. Hopefully, the doctor will be thorough and you will have some confidence in the care that your son is getting.
DJMOM: great advice!
GG
DJMOM: great advice!
GG
thanks all--SJ have been alternating TY and MO--actually i think tylenol brings it down faster but motrin keeps it down longer--but I might be mis-remembering--it's been awhile since i have had to take out the big guns in terms of fevers! on the other hand--less stnky hockey stuff to deal with.....although i would do a years worth of hockey laundry tonight if he only would get better.
DJMOM and Joppa, thanks, your advice is spot on-- I actually work in the medical field , but alway second guess myself--his fever has come down, I will sleep in his room tonight (make sure his breathing is okay) we have a vaporizer in there--but i think that this is either resistant to AMX or viral ( which would really stink)--hopefully the morning will bring better news-
and i REALLY hope this isn't a bone infection-(and i did have that thought as well--but all things are really looking like lungs now) since that would be REALLY bad--
poor kid missed his first official game of the season (and --if you can allow this proud mom to say so--he is their best defenseman --so that stinks all around)
thanks for all your thoughts
XOXO, i agree--thanks-he seems more comfortable now, but if anything changes it's off to the ER we go ....
Lori
DJMOM and Joppa, thanks, your advice is spot on-- I actually work in the medical field , but alway second guess myself--his fever has come down, I will sleep in his room tonight (make sure his breathing is okay) we have a vaporizer in there--but i think that this is either resistant to AMX or viral ( which would really stink)--hopefully the morning will bring better news-
and i REALLY hope this isn't a bone infection-(and i did have that thought as well--but all things are really looking like lungs now) since that would be REALLY bad--
poor kid missed his first official game of the season (and --if you can allow this proud mom to say so--he is their best defenseman --so that stinks all around)
thanks for all your thoughts
XOXO, i agree--thanks-he seems more comfortable now, but if anything changes it's off to the ER we go ....
Lori
< leaving on the 22nd of march...but too lame to figure out the ticker thing again!>
oh , and Joppa--
this is going to sound like we are barbarians (which we might well be)
but his older sister was needling him- in the worst way -doing what older sibs do and he went to punch her and , well, he broke his hand on her very hard skull--SHE is fine. they both got a HUGE talking to after that fiasco!--and they both feel really stupid (which they should)
he is out of hockey for probably 6 weeks- and out of band for at least 4 (right hand--and he plays trumpet) and all county tryouts are early december --so he has certainly learned that punching your sister in the head is not a good idea--in more ways than one. (and thank GOD his punch landed where it did--since he REALLY could have hurt his sister--)
this is going to sound like we are barbarians (which we might well be)
but his older sister was needling him- in the worst way -doing what older sibs do and he went to punch her and , well, he broke his hand on her very hard skull--SHE is fine. they both got a HUGE talking to after that fiasco!--and they both feel really stupid (which they should)
he is out of hockey for probably 6 weeks- and out of band for at least 4 (right hand--and he plays trumpet) and all county tryouts are early december --so he has certainly learned that punching your sister in the head is not a good idea--in more ways than one. (and thank GOD his punch landed where it did--since he REALLY could have hurt his sister--)
< leaving on the 22nd of march...but too lame to figure out the ticker thing again!>
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Marcia (Mrs. Pete)
- Posts: 1576
- Joined: Mon Aug 07, 2006 9:40 pm
- Location: Madison Area, Wisconsin
Your son broke his hand on your daughter's head? That is good stuff right there. We have four kids and so far (knock on wood, or some kid's head) no one has broken a bone on one another.
To be serious, it sounds like you have a handle on things. Keep us posted. I am a firm believer in the alternating ibu/tylenol thing. It works. For the aches/pains and fever.
To be serious, it sounds like you have a handle on things. Keep us posted. I am a firm believer in the alternating ibu/tylenol thing. It works. For the aches/pains and fever.
Marcia (Mrs. Pete)
Missing St. John. As always.
Missing St. John. As always.
Hope things are better this am.
What a great story about the hand. It will get much funnier as time passes I am sure!
Sorry for the information overload, didn't remember you were in the medical field
It is ringing a bell now.
What a great story about the hand. It will get much funnier as time passes I am sure!
Sorry for the information overload, didn't remember you were in the medical field
It is ringing a bell now."Sponges grow in the ocean...I wonder how much deeper it would be if that didn't happen."
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mindehankins
- Posts: 3014
- Joined: Fri Mar 06, 2009 8:21 am
- Location: Western NY State
well the fever today has nly been as high as 101--so i am thinking we are rounding a corner...but then my daughter came home complaining she was tired and not feeling great.....bingo......101 on her too--waiting for more shoes to drop at my makeshift flu clinic------
thanks for all your support guys!
thanks for all your support guys!
< leaving on the 22nd of march...but too lame to figure out the ticker thing again!>
Prevent Swine Flu - Good Advice
Dr. Vinay Goyal is an MBBS,DRM,DNB (Intensivist and Thyroid specialist) having clinical experience of over 20 years. He has worked in institutions like Hinduja Hospital , Bombay Hospital , Saifee Hospital , Tata Memorial etc. Presently, he is heading our Nuclear Medicine Department and Thyroid clinic at Riddhivinayak Cardiac and Critical Centre, Malad (W).
The following message given by him, I feel makes a lot of sense and is important for all to know
The only portals of entry are the nostrils and mouth/throat. In a global epidemic of this nature, it's almost impossible to avoid coming into contact with H1N1 in spite of all precautions. Contact with H1N1 is not so much of a problem as proliferation is.
While you are still healthy and not showing any symptoms of H1N1 infection, in order to prevent proliferation, aggravation of symptoms and development of secondary infections, some very simple steps, not fully highlighted in most official communications, can be practiced (instead of focusing on how to sto ck N95 or Tamiflu):
1. Frequent hand-washing (well highlighted in all official communications).
2. "Hands-off-the-face" approach. Resist all temptations to touch any part of face (unless you want to eat or bathe).
3. *Gargle twice a day with warm salt water (use Listerine if you don't trust salt). *H1N1 takes 2-3 days after initial infection in the throat/ nasal cavity to proliferate and show characteristic symptoms. Simple gargling prevents proliferation. In a way, gargling with salt water has the same effect on a healthy individual that Tamiflu has on an infected one. Don't underestimate this simple, inexpensive and powerful preventative method.
4. Similar to 3 above, *clean your nostrils at least once every day with warm salt water . *Not everybody may be good at Jala Neti or Sutra Neti (very good Yoga asanas to clean nasal cavities), but *blowing the nose hard once a day and swabbing both nostrils with cotton buds dipped in warm salt water is very effective in bringing down viral population.*
Neti pots and sinus rinse kits are available at the drug store and relatively inexpensive..under $15.
5. *Boost your natural immunity with foods that are rich in Vitamin C (Amla and other citrus fruits). *If you have to supplement with Vitamin C tablets, make sure that it also has Zinc to boost absorption.
6. *Drink as much of warm liquids (tea, coffee, etc) as you can. *Drinking warm liquids has the same effect as gargling, but in the reverse direction. They wash off proliferating viruses from the throat into the stomach where they cannot survive, proliferate or do any harm.
Dr. Vinay Goyal is an MBBS,DRM,DNB (Intensivist and Thyroid specialist) having clinical experience of over 20 years. He has worked in institutions like Hinduja Hospital , Bombay Hospital , Saifee Hospital , Tata Memorial etc. Presently, he is heading our Nuclear Medicine Department and Thyroid clinic at Riddhivinayak Cardiac and Critical Centre, Malad (W).
The following message given by him, I feel makes a lot of sense and is important for all to know
The only portals of entry are the nostrils and mouth/throat. In a global epidemic of this nature, it's almost impossible to avoid coming into contact with H1N1 in spite of all precautions. Contact with H1N1 is not so much of a problem as proliferation is.
While you are still healthy and not showing any symptoms of H1N1 infection, in order to prevent proliferation, aggravation of symptoms and development of secondary infections, some very simple steps, not fully highlighted in most official communications, can be practiced (instead of focusing on how to sto ck N95 or Tamiflu):
1. Frequent hand-washing (well highlighted in all official communications).
2. "Hands-off-the-face" approach. Resist all temptations to touch any part of face (unless you want to eat or bathe).
3. *Gargle twice a day with warm salt water (use Listerine if you don't trust salt). *H1N1 takes 2-3 days after initial infection in the throat/ nasal cavity to proliferate and show characteristic symptoms. Simple gargling prevents proliferation. In a way, gargling with salt water has the same effect on a healthy individual that Tamiflu has on an infected one. Don't underestimate this simple, inexpensive and powerful preventative method.
4. Similar to 3 above, *clean your nostrils at least once every day with warm salt water . *Not everybody may be good at Jala Neti or Sutra Neti (very good Yoga asanas to clean nasal cavities), but *blowing the nose hard once a day and swabbing both nostrils with cotton buds dipped in warm salt water is very effective in bringing down viral population.*
Neti pots and sinus rinse kits are available at the drug store and relatively inexpensive..under $15.
5. *Boost your natural immunity with foods that are rich in Vitamin C (Amla and other citrus fruits). *If you have to supplement with Vitamin C tablets, make sure that it also has Zinc to boost absorption.
6. *Drink as much of warm liquids (tea, coffee, etc) as you can. *Drinking warm liquids has the same effect as gargling, but in the reverse direction. They wash off proliferating viruses from the throat into the stomach where they cannot survive, proliferate or do any harm.