Question:
My kids are sick, should I treat myself anyways to avoid getting sick too?

My surgery is in 16 days, and I am worried I will get sick and have to reschedule. I have 4 kids who seem to get every cold that comes around this year- now one has pneumonia.She is being treated with zithromax. I am scared of getting sick and was wonder what you all think about taking antibiotics to Prevent illness. I have a course of antibiotics I can take-on hand-. I do not want to ask my doctor as he will not think this is not necessary as I am not sick yet- what do you all think? I do not want to have anything stand in my way for this surgery.    — Jan S. (posted on March 18, 2003)

March 18, 2003
Taking an antibiotic for a cold, won't do a thing. Antibiotics don't work for viruses. Good hand washing and not touching your mouth, nose, can help avoid a cold.
   — ZZ S.

March 18, 2003
SAN is right. Don't take antibiotics for a cold. It's a virus. Antibiotics will not prevent you from getting a cold or pneumonia. Wash your hands frequently. Just do the things you are normally supposed to do - eat right, drink plenty of water and get enough sleep to help keep your immune system working at it's peak. You could take some extra Vitamin C if you are so inclined.
   — koogy

March 18, 2003
This is the original poster. I know that a virus will not get better with the use of antibiotics.My daughter has bacterial pneumonia. I want to avoid getting ill. You can take antibiotics as a profolactic- to avoid getting sick-as a prevention measure.I know they do this for some cases. I am a nurse and will probably treat myself anyways- just wanted some input. I know and will do the hand washing, vitamins,stuff like that to avoid spreading illness-however-I feel like-to be on the safe side and to cover my bases- I should take the z-pak I have to protect myself. Thanks Anyways-
   — Jan S.

March 18, 2003
You should never take antibiotics unless you absolutley need to. Over time your body (and germs) will build up a tolerance to the antibiotics, and then when you REALLY need to take them (ex: you get an infection after surgery) then they may not work as well, or at all.
   — fropunka

March 18, 2003
About two weeks before surgery I started to get sick. Under normal circumstances I would have ignored it cause it wasn't bad but I rushed off to the doctor who said under normal circumstances he wouldn't give me antibiotics but due to the surgery, he prescribed them. I am not a doctor nor do I play one on TV but I would start the antibiotics maybe 10 days before surgery even if you feel fine. In general, you don't want to take antibiotics unless necessary but you also don't want to have to cancel your surgery and I'm a firm believer in stress leaves you open to everything that comes down the pike. Best of luck.
   — Sunny S.

March 18, 2003
Your doctor won't think it's necessary, but you are going to self-medicate anyway? I think that's a very bad idea.
   — Kasey

March 22, 2003
I would ask, why do you have antibiotics on hand? is it because you did not finish all as prescribed previously? Unnecessary use of antibiotics is a serious threat to the health of all of the general pblic, due to the bacteria building up a resistance to the antibiotics that were used improperly. Wouldn't it just suck to get an infection post op that wouldn't respond to antibiotics?
   — **willow**