Tonsillitis and antibiotics

[mummabearxoxx]

took my 17 month old to the doctors yesterday, he has tonsillitis. Was asked if we wanted antibiotics, which I said yes as no confirming whether viral or bacterial. Now, he is good at taking painkillers and usually fine when we’ve had antibiotics for this before. But for the life of me, he will not swallow this vile tasting penicillin. The last time he has tonsillitis, it didn’t actually take any effect at all. He took 5/6 days to stop having a temp and there was no effect from the antibiotics.

Can I ask for the antibiotic to be changed? If so, is this usually done through the pharmacy or the doctors? Child

You would need to go back to the gp for the prescription to be changed. Or can you mix it with jam or yogurt or something to disguise the taste?
I thought antibiotics weren't given for tonsillitis any more these days though.

great thank you.
I can, but it’s required 4 times a day, and I can’t guarantee he’s going to eat what I try put it in that often. Like I said, I was offered it. He has there was puss on both tonsils which means it could be bacterial, but also could still be viral! He didn’t recommend or not recommend either.

If you want him to take the antibiotics you may just need to get firmer. It's not negotiable, medicine has to be taken and you as the parent are responsible for your child's health.

But if you don't want him to take them, I suppose the dr has agreed you don't need to.

Maybe talk to the pharmacist and see what they recommend?

I appreciate what you’re saying, but I cannot physically force him to swallow it. He is so little and doesn’t understand. He’s quite happy to take any other medication he has had. They have prescribed and alternative.

Syringe (like calpol) to back of throat. Sorry, but it's got to go down somehow. Follow up with a treat. A bit of carrot and stick maybe. That's not the treat btw 😂

Believe me, I tried. And into the cheek, holding the syringe in the mouth to try get him to swallow but it literally almost bounced back out of his mouth/throat 🙃 I tasted it myself and I must say it just tasted like pure chemicals. He now has a alternative and it’s only 2.5ml every 12 hours, and hopefully a slightly sweeter taste and we will manage.

A different antibiotic is likely to be the same issue - since they removed the sugar, they all taste, strangely enough - like chemicals, because that is what they are.

The vast majority of tonsillitis cases are causes by viruses and so do not need antibiotics.

You need to decide whether you want to cover the possibility of bacterial tonsillitis by using them, in which case you need to give them 4 times a day for the whole course - or not.

As you said in the previous case it didn't help - likely because it was viral.

Only you can decide - but you can ask the pharmacy for advice or go back to the GP.

If only we had antibiotic suppositories like Europe

Amoxicillin (yellow) is banana taste handed out first. Most kids will take that one and other types. However, If it’s bright / neon orange colour (I can’t remember the name) liquid it’s absolutely vile and I refuse that one 🤣

Some white liquids are not the best but a strawberry put in the mouth straight away takes the taste off.

Just ask for an alternative at the dr and you won’t get anywhere with a chemist. I would only ask for a change if it’s the neon orange one as that one is the worst.

Hope your child gets better soon

We had antibiotics a few months ago for a chest infection which has a banana flavour, which he took no issues. They’ve given us another one which smells like marzipan almost, although it may still have a chemical taste, it’s going to be much easier to make sure he has 2.5ml every 12 hours rather than 4x5ml a day.

Yes, I am fully aware they are chemicals🫣 but calpol and nuerofen are also made some chemicals yet they have a much more pleasant taste, and like I said, the last time he needed antibiotics; they did too.

If it’s Penicillin V I would ask GP for an alternative. That particular AB is revolting,not effective if he will not swallow it ! I am speaking from experience after having a toddler with regular tonsillitis who eventually had them removed.
Edit to say that I personally would never force the child to take it because more likely to end up with child vomiting and a bigger problem with taking meds in the future.

He either takes it or ends up in hospital. Simple as. Stop giving him a choice

I had this with my toddler , I messaged the GP explaining he would NOT take them, and they prescribed a different antibiotic.

ignore people saying just Be firmer , fgs, we can’t physically hold them down and force them to swallow 4 times a day!

Agree Amoxicillin is far more palatable and very effective for tonsillitis. Pen V is absolutely vile!

Yes we’ve had the banana one before which he took happily! The first we were given is the bright orangey pink one. And I tasted it it was awful!!

THANK YOU! I agree, what delightful people!! We’ve got a new one thankfully! Xx

you’re a delight. He is 17 months old. He does not understand.

All the more reason to stop this ridiculous nonsense and force it down his neck. It’s possible.

you sound awful

No, I’m realistic.

For things like food they don’t like, it is what it is. But for medication, they take it. Put the syringe in his mouth with a bottle. Squirt it and let him cry. It’s that or he gets worse.

I have held him and tried every way with the syringe. He SPITS IT back up or gags it back up every time. Hence me getting an alternative antibiotic that has a slight better taste. I don’t know what doing of parenting style you follow, but by the sounds of it, it is not one I am willing to do.

There is a wide belief that pus spots on tonsils = bacterial and MUST have antibiotics.
The data shows that a lot of tonsillitis is viral and even the bacterial tonsillitis will usually resolve on its own. Antibiotics may shorten the duration of illness by a day.

I really think you need to stop giving shit advice on health threads today!
Forcing medication into a toddler’s mouth runs a high risk of vomiting/ choking/ medication refusal in the future!
I cannot comment on other’advice’ on another thread unfortunately!

Go back to your GP and tell them this, they’ve examined and prescribed so don’t listen to posters telling you he doesn’t actually need them. It’s one thing being firm, it’s another administering it to a tiny toddler four times a day when they’re gagging and spitting it out.

No it doesn’t. Don’t be so stupid.

There is a reason Pen V is used, vile though I agree it is.

It is the most specific for GroupA Strep which is the most common cause of bacterial tonsillitis. It is narrow spectrum so the does the job with the least damage to other potentially beneficial bacteria.

Amoxycillin is broad spectrum - used to call it 'domestos' so it is less specific, but will general do the job, but may cause more damage.

If antibiotics were used appropriately then the small amount of sugar that used to be in them (that massively improved child compliance) would not be an issue.