Are These Many Antibiotics Safe?

[jonah hart]

My 16 year old as had 3 lots of antibiotics in the last month, one lot for and infection her new nose stud gave her, now she's on 2 lots together for a water infection and tonsillitis. I'm worried this is too much in a short period of time, as of now she's on 12 antibiotics a day. I've spoke with both the doctors and pharmacist they say it's ok. As anyone else took this many in such a short time?

[Cloverjo]

It does seem a lot. I can't imagine how two lots together for two separate infections are better than one, but I'm not a doctor or pharmacist. I suppose you have to trust the professionals.

[gingejbee]

^^^because different antibiotics target different infections. That's why.

[jonah hart]

That's what i thought but apparently she needs one lot for the water infection and one lot for the tonsillitis, personally through my own past experience i don't trust doctors! But i don't want my lack of trust to effect my daughters health, but i just don't feel right her taking so many of these. She's a few days in taking them now and i know it's dangerous to just suddenly stop.

[Sqad]

Well...if you don't trust doctors...manage her medical care...your way.
I am sure it is the best

[anneasquith]

3 different infections, 3 different antibiotics. doctor and pharmacist say it's ok, I'm sure she will feel much better following completion of the prescribed medication.

[BlackadderV]

I believe there are two types called broad spectrum and narrow spectrum, but I'm no expert.

[jonah hart]

A couple of years ago after a routine smear test i was called by my doctor at 6 P. M on a friday night to tell me i had chlamydia! And told to go down for emergency antibiotics, my husband and i had a horrendous weekend, although we trusted each other unconditionally the evidence in front of us had no choice but to doubt each other, 18 years of marriage on the line, we decided I wouldn't take the antibiotics and both go get tested monday, to which both our results came back clear. That's my personal reason for doubting the doc, i feel I can't be ignorant to my daughters health though. I'm honestly not being "pissy" i just worried these were too many antibiotics to take, ill just be glad when she's finished her course, and if future when she's ill look up an alternative medicine for her to take naturally, thankyou though :)

[ethandron]

It's not dangerous to just suddenly stop taking them, you do that when you finish a course, you don't tail them off. If you feel that strongly about it then she could just stop now and not take any more.
But I think both you and she would regret it. The danger comes from her not getting the medication she obviously needs to fight the infections she has and potentially becoming very ill.

[BlackadderV]

In my own experience after 48 hours you tend to feel so much better that there is a temptation to stop taking them. The advice is always finish the course.

[Prudie]

If a doctor and a chemist have said it's OK that would be enough for me. Your previous answers also explain - different antibiotics target different bacteria. Personally I'd be grateful that they have been prescribed - when I was a teenager I got antibiotics for lots of common sore throats etc and they cleared the infection miraculously quickly, nowadays getting a GP to give antibiotics is like getting blood from a stone in my experience.

[flump1]

It might be that her immune system is under pressure and needs help right now. Quite often young people pick up one infection after another. Hopefully after this episode it might be ages before antibiotics are needed again.

[Sqad]

I have a certain amount of sympathy for the worry of jonah hart.

I would have thought that one antibiotic could account for the common organisms that cause tonsillitis and UTI's...e.g ciprofloxocin.

[anneasquith]

sqad, obviously the patients gp may disagree with you :)

[Sqad]

Obviously.