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**
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