When will his symptoms start getting better?

Question

My son has his been on a five days course of antibiotics for bronchitis. He takes it once a day and has taken it for 2 days. How soon will he start to sound better?

Answer 1

In general terms if son is on correct medication for his problem then after third day you should see an improvement. Hope all is well soon.

Answer 2

If the infection is bacterial and the antibiotic is the right one for his infection, usually you will see some improvement by the third day, but each indiviual case is different. From your description, sounds like he is on zythromax, which is the most widely used antibiotic here for respiratory infection and seem to be one of the most effective ones. Some of the symptoms can linger for 2-3 weeks, but the child should be feeling better in 3-4 days. Make sure to finish the antibiotic so that you are not helping to develop more resistant strains of the bug, and offer as much fluid as you can get him to take, especially water and fruit juices with vitamin C. Humidified air is also helpful to keep the mucous thin enough to expectorate it. Tylenol for fever and or achiness may also be needed. Sudafed is also very helpful if he has nasal and sinus congestion along with the lung infection. Vicks can also be helpful in making breathing easier for him, especially at night., it helps to open up the air passages. It is not unusual for a cough to remain for 2-3 weeks, make sure he is using tissue to cough into and handwashing is very important for both the sick child and everyone else in the household to help prevent spreading the infection.

Answer 3

His may not be a typical case, because the antibiotic of choice for bronchitis normally is nothing. Ordinarily there are five to seven days of nasty cough, with lesser lingering symptoms for another week or two. I hope you're humidifying the air (vaporizer or sitting in a steamy bathroom) and giving him a good expectorant like chicken soup. Cough syrups with dextromethorphan don't seem to be a good idea in kids, but if things don't improve in a few days you might want to talk to his doctor about trying a bronchodilator, though they don't help consistently.

Answer 4

The answer is somewhat complicated. Antibiotics kill the bug that are making your son sick. The weird sounds come from mucus that was produced by your sons body in response to the bugs.

It is imperative that your son finish the entire course of antibiotics to effectively kill the bugs. However, the noises might still be around even when the bugs are already dead (i.e. after he finishes the antibiotics).

You may want to ask your doctor about a bronchodilator (i.e. nebulizer treatment) or expectorant to help him get rid of all that mucus. You can help him by keeping him hydrated to keep that mucus soft and easier to spit out.

Answer 5

It may take awhile, even after the infection starts to get better he may have some fluid/drainage. He should sound a little better each day, if he sounds worse at any time I would take him back in. If he continues to have a fever after 72 hours he should be taken back in as well. You can use a humidifier to ease his breathing. This is very helpful at night. Hope he feels better (and sounds better soon)

Answer 6

I've had bronchitis and it took me up to 3 weeks to get rid of the cough etc. I sounded better in a couple of days but the coughing lasted awhile.

Answer 7

He should start to feel a little bit better within 2-3 days, finish all medications. i would advise a follow up appointment to make sure that the antibiotics took effect. if u still notice symptoms than please call the doctor and he will put your son on the right medication.

Answer 8

Usually within about 48 hrs. or a little more. Maybe by day three or four. If he isn't better by day 5-go back to the dr. He should start to sound better soon. Take care.