Use of Antibiotics
Links and information

Prophylactic Antibiotics
It has often been suggested to parents that it would be good to give antibiotics in order to prevent infections. However, lately it has been shown that antibiotics are being over prescribed and are creating problems with antibiotic resistant bacteria. This is especially concerning for children like ours who do get sick more often and thus rely on antibiotics more than the average child. However, research is being done on whether giving antibiotics on a long term basis can be useful in preventing some infections.

I've done some searching and reading online and the consensus seems to be that in certain cases for certain bacteria, giving low dose antibiotics over a long period of time, can help prevent acute infections. This seems to be most true of the Staphylococcus aureus bacteria and in the case of repeated urinary tract infections or Vesicoureteral Reflux (see: Miscellaneous Conditions, Vesicoureteral Reflux). I’ve not found anything easily read on prophylactic antibiotics in the general population. Your child's physician or respirologist will best be able to advise you on the wisdom of prophylactic antibiotics.

Tobramycin seems to be the one antibiotic that some of the children are using both for prevention and treatment, mostly of pseudomonas. Most children get it via nebulizers except when actively sick and then it’s given via IV or injection.

Tobramycin Inhalation Solution - ORAL http://www.medicinenet.com/tobramycin_inhalation_solution-oral/article.htm

General Information about Antibiotic Resistance
http://www.cdc.gov/drugresistance/community/faqs.htm#cold  

Facts About Antibiotic Resistance
http://www.cdc.gov/drugresistance/community/faqs.htm#facts

Many children end up with Thrush after taking Antibiotics
Thrush
http://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/health/info/infectious/diagnose/thrush.htm 

Nystatin
http://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/health/info/medication/k-n/nystatin.htm 

Reintroducing Healthy Bacteria to the Body
Children who are frequently on antibiotics can develop all kinds of problems (including thrush & other yeast type infections) as antibiotics can kill more than just the organism which is making them sick. For that reason products such as Live culture Acidophilus or Lactobaciilus are used by many families to reintroduce healthy bacteria. The following information on this subject is put out by a manufacturer in the UK who provides the product Yakult. Some of the families are using this yogurt product for their children and having good success with it. There are a lot of acidophilus products available both in pill form and in food form. With the food products check to see that it is a live culture of acidophilus or lactobacillus

I am not promoting the following product. I am simply giving information. Please make sure you check with your child's Dr or health care provider before starting new treatments.

Friendly Bacteria
http://www.yakult.co.uk/bacteria/default.asp 

Their Function
http://www.yakult.co.uk/bacteria/function.asp 

Upsetting the Balance
http://www.yakult.co.uk/bacteria/balance.asp 

Maintaining the Balance
http://www.yakult.co.uk/bacteria/maintain.asp

Another Suggestion:
From Lisa, mom to Noah, age 2 ½ in Australia: I think I may have mentioned to you all about the 'spunky' dietician we had while Noah was in hospital for his fundo. Well - he wasn't just good looking, he was also a great dietician and was so helpful. LOL He is the senior paediatric dietician at the hospital we were at and I wish he was our dietician all the time, as the one we have has been hopeless.

 Anyway - I thought I would just mention what he had talked to us about giving Noah yoghurt. You probably already know this, but just in case some don't already know I thought I would just mention it anyway.

We have been buying acidophilus for him to help with his thrush, but James (the dietician) told us to aim to give him 2 tablespoons of yoghurt a day through his g tube. He said that this can not only assist with thrush, but also the live cultures in yoghurt can also assist with constipation and diarrhea.

He said to just mix 1 TB of a yoghurt containing Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidus in 30 mls of water and put it through the tube twice a day. The recommended level for adults is 100 g a day, but he said 2 tbs is good for Noah and we could try to work it so he gets a little bit more as time goes on.

He also said to make sure that the yoghurt has at least 2 weeks remaining until the 'use-by' date as that is the time when the good cultures are still active, but two weeks before the use by date they start to die off.

I have to admit that Noah is definitely a lot different with his bowel movements right now!! He is going a lot more than he used to and they are very formed which is great!! (Don't we just love this topic!?!? LOL). 

I hope this information helps someone. Just make sure that the yoghurt you get contains the lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium - it usually is the more expensive yoghurts, but they are obviously worth it.

Other pages in this section:
Illnesses
Immunization Experiences
Care of Ill Child
Illnesses Experiences
Illnesses Glossary