“Is it safe to give antibiotics to a baby for a cough?”
I have been recommended antibiotics for my baby’s cough. This is the third time in a month that he is suffering from a cough. Should I still give him the antibiotics? Is there another route we could take here?
9 Answers
The antibiotic is for bronchitis or early pneumonia that may be causing the cough. If the cough persists he may have asthma allergies or some other cause that needs further investigation.
No, antibiotic is not recommended for any cough especially if the cause of cough is viral or allergic.
Antibiotics are only effective for cough caused by a bacterial infection. There are many other causes of cough in a baby. It would be best to dtermine the probable cause of the cough before starting on antibiotics.
To use antibiotic for child's cough would be appropriate if:
1. the child has proved pneumonia on CXR
2. the child has suspected/verified pertussis
3. the child was exposed to histoplasmosis, aspergilosis, etc
4. the child has been diagnosed with cystic fibrosis
5. the child has known sickle cell disease and has fever and chest pain
6. the child is immunocompromised and does not take prophylactic antibiotics, or - prophylaxis is being taken, but now the child develop also fever
7. the child has hx of exposure to TB and positive tuberculin/equivalent test
The use of antibiotics is not appropriate for the common cold, most viral infections and uncomplicated influenza with no other underlying disorder or risk factors.
This is not entirely complete answer, just a few points to start considering
As always, good thorough history including EPIDEMIOLOGIC history (traveling, contact, immunization status + exposure) and physical exam will lead to correct diagnosis and treatment in > 95% of cases considering that the MD is not forced to practice assembly line medicine (= 15 minutes with computer and 3-5 minutes with patient and parents). Any more questions? Feel free to ask.
1. the child has proved pneumonia on CXR
2. the child has suspected/verified pertussis
3. the child was exposed to histoplasmosis, aspergilosis, etc
4. the child has been diagnosed with cystic fibrosis
5. the child has known sickle cell disease and has fever and chest pain
6. the child is immunocompromised and does not take prophylactic antibiotics, or - prophylaxis is being taken, but now the child develop also fever
7. the child has hx of exposure to TB and positive tuberculin/equivalent test
The use of antibiotics is not appropriate for the common cold, most viral infections and uncomplicated influenza with no other underlying disorder or risk factors.
This is not entirely complete answer, just a few points to start considering
As always, good thorough history including EPIDEMIOLOGIC history (traveling, contact, immunization status + exposure) and physical exam will lead to correct diagnosis and treatment in > 95% of cases considering that the MD is not forced to practice assembly line medicine (= 15 minutes with computer and 3-5 minutes with patient and parents). Any more questions? Feel free to ask.
It depends - from all complaints, type of cough fever, PE-lungs on auscultation, baby age. No straight answer - yes or no. If it's a viral infection, we can do nebulizer with NS and suction mucous from nose, and keep the baby in a good ventilated room. If it's pneumonia - yes.
Most of the cough at this age does not need antibiotics...It is probably a virus. Discuss with your doctor. Don’t know the age of your child...
antibiotics do not treat cough
It is hard to say without evaluating. Coughs are mainly viral, but if your MD thinks there is bronchitis or pneumonia, then antibiotics are indicated.
First, how old is the baby? Second, I would not give an antibiotic. A thorough history & physical examination might reveal pre asthma, a foreign body, an irritant in the environment or something physically wrong. A simple Chest X-ray should be done as a baseline.
