Zithromax for Cough???

Another nurse piping in....unless the baby has an infection, stay away from the antibiotics. Family memebers mean well, but aren't always the best source of info out there. I'd discuss your concerns with your peds or seek out a second opinion.

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Speaking as a nurse and a mom..I wouldn't advise giving any medication to your infant that isn't prescribed to him. As far as coughing, most physicans will not prescribe antibiotics for a cough without some sort of infection. Good luck...hope he gets feeling better soon!

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Speaking from experience: Take DAIRY out of his diet. If you breastfeeding, then you have to stop eating dairy. There are alot of substitute foods to eat. If you are formula feeding, then you will have to switch formulas. You should see results! It does take two weeks for all the symptoms and dairy to leave his body, but before that you should see a definate improvement.

or if you want to do it the hard way...

I'm a mother of 4 kids and my 1st was sick alot. It never occured to me that his cough was asthmatic. I agree with one mom's advice: would resort to it only after Amoxil and or a cephelasporin fails. I'm no doctor, just someone very educated in AI's."
Your baby sounds too young for Zpack.
Keep trying all the home remedies, like you would for croup or a cough. Hold your baby in the bathroom with the shower running on hot for the steam. Dress your baby warm and go for a drive at night with the cool air on him. Get a foam wedge and put it under his sheets so his head can B. elevated. Or put blocks under 1/2 crib so his head can B. elevated. Vacuum and dust his room from top to bottom. Don't let any pets in his room. Use a humidifier. Get an air purifier. Try to get some Donotusson DM infant (I got the last sample from my doctor.)

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If it's truely a cough an antibiotic will do nothing at all for it either way. Antibiotics only work on bacteria and coughs are viral. They would start with a lesser antibiotic first and work their way up. You don't want to get a medication stronger than you need, if you need a medication. They will not diagnos asthma at such a young age normally, because many children have breathing issues at young ages but by preschool/kindergarten grow out of them (therefore it would not be asthma if you grow out of it). If it is asthma related antibiotics won't work. You may need some other kind of medication in the nebulizer--albuterol or pulmocort. Antibiotics won't help asthma or asthma like problems. They have nothing to do with germs, only the constriction of airway in the lungs not allowing air to flow in and out smoothly leading to a server cough with wheezing.
Other ways to help at home, keep the child in a smoke free environment. No eating in smoking restraunts and no smoking at home. Second hand smoke will cause those small airways to constrict even more. Give breathing treatments as ordered-on time around the clock. Prop any sleeping surfaces up--put a pillow under the matress to prop up a matress in a baby bed. This will keep any drainage from congestion through the night going into the stomach verses staying in the airway. Is there a pet in the home? Or a lot of flowering plants that have been there since she was born? She could be having an allergic reaction to these things now. Most allergic reactions occur after being exposed to things multiple times. (This is why you can move to a new state and not have allergy problems for multiple years and sudden have them again.) If she is allergic to a dog or cat it could just now be coming out.
I wish you the best of luck! Having a sick child is never fun. I've been there with a sick child for months at a time as a single mom. :( These are some things I used with my own child. Hang in there, the weather will break and normally once it stops going from hot to cold and back again the congestion and asthma like symptoms slow down!

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sounds like it could be allergies even at this early age. There is something about it that doesn't sound like milk allergy though. I would think of normal springtime allergies. I would definitely be looking for a different pediatrician though. When you've been treating it this long with no success it is time to do something different.

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I wouldn't do the zpack! One of my twins is having this problem right now too (8 months old). When he coughs, does it clear the wheezing? If it does, then what I have been doing is give him his cough medicine which slows down the coughing (the dr. prescribed chlor-mes-d - which also helps with allergies), and I am constantly putting saline drops up his nose. That breaks up the phlem, and the salt in it pulls fluid out of the nasal membranes and improves breating. If it is not in his nose, I just put a few drops in and don't suck it back out with the bulb - then it can get into his throat and break it up there and make it a more productive (and easier) cough. If coughing doesn't clear the rattle, then it may be in his chest/lungs and he may be on the road to pneumonia or RSV... and both are viral. There is another simpler possibility - my son got really congested when he was teething - could this be a possiblilty for yours?

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Another vote here for considering a temporary removal of all cow's milk proteins from your 5 month old's diet to see if the symptoms go away --> wheezing can be a sign of allergy, and cow's milk is by far the most common offender in this young age group.

Most infant formula's are based on cow's milk, so I wouldn't do medication until you've done a several-week elimination of all cow's milk proteins first. It's non-invasive and potentially very helpful. If formula feeding, that means using an elemental formula (like Neocate or Elecare) for several weeks to see if it clears up the wheezing and other symptoms. If breastfeeding, that means MOM needs to remove all cow's milk proteins from her diet (that means reading labels, and knowing what names to look for) - here's a wonderful cheat sheet:
http://www.kellymom.com/store/freehandouts/hidden-dairy01...

Another helpful resource - Tracking Down Allergies:
http://askdrsears.com/html/4/T041800.asp

Also, it's important to know that babies who react to cow's milk are also likely to react to soy proteins - so when doing the elimination, it's worthwhile to use the elemental formula instead of a soy-based formula. If the elemental formula reduces or eliminates your baby's symptoms, then do a test w/ a soy formula to see how baby does on it - if the symptoms like wheezing, congestion, discomfort stay away, then soy formula might be an option.

Anyway... just another possible cause to consider.

A few links for you - these are the sites of 2 non-dairy, non-soy formulas:
http://neocate.com/aaa_neocate/1128-neocate-home-page.html
http://elecare.com/hcp/

This last link is great - while it is specifically for breastfeeding moms, don't miss the information b/c it's great for formula fed babies too!:
http://www.kellymom.com/babyconcerns/food-sensitivity.html

Hope this helps, and that your baby finds relief soon (and you, too, because it's never easy to watch your baby suffer)!

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I could be way off here, but could your baby have acid reflux which is irritating only when he is laying down, i.e. at night? My baby developed coughing and wheezing, and sounded like he had mucous, but it was acid reflux. My pediatrician said acid "refluxing" can stimulate mucous production in the throat and cause irriation in the esophagus. After starting him on Zantac, all his symptoms have disappeared. Just something to consider.

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Zithromax or Zmax, is used to treat certain bacterial infections such as bronchitis, pneumonia, it is a very potent antibiotic but can cause diarhea , nausea and many other side effects.Sounds like your pediatrician is protecting your child.
Maybe you should have your child checked for allergies. And check his bedroom for any thing that could trigger allergies. Carpeting has many chemicals in it. Dust and dust mites can be horrible on a child, pet dander, smoke free rooms are wonderful.My nephew had to have no curtains or blinds in his room , tore out the carpeting and had to do his bedding in full at least every 3 days for years.He also had to get a humidifier and use it when he slept.Cold for the summer months and warm for the winter. The air was too dry making his air ways too dry and he wheezed terrible and coughed.

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My little guy is now 10 and we have been dealing with "cough" issues since he was a newborn. Getting him in to see a pediatric pulmonary doctor was probably the best thing I could have done. They would not diagnose asthma until he got older. I can't even begin to tell you the number of trips to and from the doctor and pharmacy. It was frustrating but it also breaks your heart to see your little one sick. The pulmonary doctors can run the tests that your pediatrician can't and can show you in black and white what is going on. I would caution about using antibiotics unless doctor says they are needed. My boy started building a resistance to the antibiotics so when he REALLY needed them, they were not affective. I really like my pediatrician and still use him but some things just are just beyond their expertise.

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Yes, it is safe. However, I have been dealing with the same kind of cough with my soon to be 4 year old daughter(she has a twin brother) for almost 2 years. In March she had her tonsils and adenoids removed. You may want to get your son to an ENT. They discovered with my daughter that her tonsils were infected internally, that is why the antibiodics did nothing for her. I am actually getting ready to schedule my son for the same proceudre. So my advice is to get him into an ENT so they can take a look. We used Dr. Cotton at Children's Hospital here in Cincinnati, OH. Good Luck and let me know how things go.

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Hi Hazel! My daughter, 8 months old, has had a cough as well. She was on Zithromax but only because she had an infection.

Since then, the infection has gone away but she still has a cough. Her pedia said that it could very well be from allergies. I have also read that teething can cause congestion & coughing. In case of allergies, he told me to give her OTC Zyrtec for children. Honestly, the symptoms didn't change with or without the medicine. So, she's just hanging in there. No fever, no colored boogies and no change in appetite.

Please keep me informed.

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I don't know if I would use Zithromax unless it was prescribed but I would definately be looking at some type of decongestant. Naturally you have to be extremely careful with the dosage. I worked medical for years in a clerical position in a GP office. It could be an allergy. There are decongestants out there without antibiotics in them, I would consider that before going with the Zithro.

I am 56. My parents used baby asprin, over the counter medications, etc. on myself and my brother and we are still alive. I don't remember them going through all of this nonsense we go through today about medications for our children.

I have a sinus condition now that I never had until I moved to the Indianapolis area. My physician told me to move and get rid of it!!! My brother has had hayfever since he was little and has allergies to pine trees.

My children don't have either one and I used over the counter medication on them when they were young.

I will pray for you.

P. R

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I recommend mangosteen juice--just a small amount a couple times a day for your boys. It is wonderful for allergies and has natural antiobiotics in it. And it's natural so no side effects. It has really worked for us. I can help you get it wholesale if you're interested. It even can relieve all out asthma--so you should definitely try a bottle. :-)

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PLEASE DON'T GIVE SOMEONE ELSE'S PRESCRIPTION MEDS TO SOMEONE WHO WAS NOT PRESCRIBED THEM!!!!!!
I know you're sick of going to the doctor, but please at least call with your question. He might be willing to recommend something over the phone since he's seen your baby recently.
You might want to ask about allergies ('tis the season, after
all).
There are some awful respiratory viruses going around now, and please remember that viruses don't respond to antibiotics.

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You may want to go to an ear-nose and throat spec. The flu has been very harsh this year and you may be dealing with that too. Good luck I hope all goes well.

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As a parent, I am always hesitant to give my children antibiotics unless it is truly a bacterial infection. Doing this can cause resistence, so when they need an AI in the future, it will be harder to find one that might work. The AAP recommends Amoxil first line for any bacterial infection, then a cephelasporin. Zithromax is part of a catagory of AI's called macrolides (Zithromax or Azithromycin is actually an azolide, but it's considered the same class). It isn't very potent in adults becuase of its blatent overuse, but it can be helpful in children. I would resort to it only after Amoxil and or a cephelasporin fails. I'm no doctor, just someone very educated in AI's.

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This might sound crazy, but if your child has a cough, put vicks vapor rub on the bottom of his feet then put socks on. It will help cure the cough. Works on adults too!! It is not meant to replace antibiotics!!!!! It just helps relieve the coughing.

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Get a second opinion.

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PLEASE don't do the Z-pack - it is intended for adults only. They make Zithromax liquid for children, different dosing. My husband is a pharmaceutical rep - please call a doc before giving any prescription drugs to your child.

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I highly recommend getting a cool mist vaporizer and use it at night in his room, but also all day. Also, an air purifer. My son is asthmatic, and these 2 things work well for him.

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Zithromax, or Z pack, is an antibiotic which would be good for an older child or adult with an upper respiratory infection. I don't know if it's safe for babies, you'd have to ask your doctor. If what your baby has is just a cold, antibiotics won't work, and don't let your doctor put him on it. If its bronchitis or pneumonia, then it's up to your doctor what the baby goes on to cure it. If its allergies, then perhps an allergist would be your best bet.

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Zithromax is definitely safe in this age group. Has anyone thought to check a chest xray? A lot of information can be gained from it.

T.

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I have not heard of zithromax for a cough and such unless it was do to a bacterial infection. If your child has a viral illness that is not clearing up antibiotics will not do any good. I would get another opinion from another pediatrician. Sounds almost like he may have some type of allergies. I would most definitely get another opinion.
D.
I am 31 and have been married for almost 12 yrs. My husband and I have 3 boys ages 10,7 and 4. Our 10 yr. old had trouble like that and it was caused from seasonal allergies.

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Hazel,
Do not give Zithromax to a five month old...or to any child it is not been physician prescribed or physician recommended. Seek a physician in an alternative health practice...your son may have allergies, and seek natural treatments. I experienced an illness in my one son when he was 8 yrs old...went the whole gauntlet of medical docs who prescribed meds/nebulizer, and then tried to tell me my son's cough was on purpose and he was faking it!! I immediately contacted a friend who is a nutritionist; then went to a chiropractor who helped to a certain extent; then the alternative medicine practice (I encourage osteopathic physicians since they treat the whole body), and we discovered that the original illness had knocked my son's resistance so low, along with the numerous meds he had been on over the 3 months of illness, that he'd developed food and environmental allergies. It took us a few months but the natural process worked!!

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Dear Hazel,

I would hesitate before beginning yet another chemical medication in anyone, much less a 5 month old infant. Of course, this is just my humble opinion.

Antibiotics can kill off the good bacteria in the digestive system, causing an overload of yeast, and the resulting health problems.

Have a talk with your pediatrician and tell him or her that you want to find a safe alternative to the meds, and you want to resolve your son's problems.

If you are interested in finding a good holistic pedicatrician, ask your current pediatrician if they can recommend one, or look up Dr. Sandra Pinkham. She is an M.D. who has vast knowledge of alternative treatments, and who practiced pediatric medicine exclusively for years before opening a practice in which she treats any individual who comes to her for help. She has made a huge difference in my life, and I was somewhat skeptical when I first visited her.

I hope you can find a way to turn things around for your little one. Good luck!

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