Omnicef is the anibiotic that my nephew of 22months used for his ear infection. I think my daughter has one now too. I am waiting for her insurance coverage to start and have no money to bring her to the doctor. She won't be covered till August, till then I need to keep her healthy somehow.
2007-05-21 06:41:56 · 17 answers · asked by Lil Panda 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
It is never safe to take the medication of another person. Antibiotics are generally based on type of illness, age and weight of person, and knowledge of allergies. It is becoming very common to take the "wait and see" approach with ear infections since a large number of them are viral in nature. Antibiotics will not work on viruses. Overuse of antibiotics has been strongly linked to the development of resistant forms of bacteria that do not respond to common forms of antibiotics. If you suspect your daughter has an ear infection, give her children's acetaminophen for the pain and any fever she may have. If you can tell or she can tell you which ear hurts, put a washcloth that has been warmed in the microwave over the ear to help the pain. You can also use a hot water bottle wrapped in a towel or a heating pad set on the lowest setting covered with a towel for her to put against her ear. Stuffy noses often accompany ear infections. Because all of the ear, nose, and throat areas are connected, if you can ease the nose stuffiness that often helps the ear pressure. Prop her up to sleep. You can place a pillow under her crib mattress of raise her bed by putting the front two legs up on sturdy risers. Give her home made saline drops in her nose to help sneeze the mucous out. From the Mayo Clinic comes this advice "Dissolve about 1/4 teaspoon salt in 2 cups of warm distilled water. Use a suction bulb to place the solution in your nose or put some of the warm salt water in the cup of your hand, and then sniff it up, one nostril at a time. " She will hate this, but it really does help with stuffy noses. While ear infections are not contagious, the colds that often cause them are. What you can do to help your daughter stay healthy is keep her hands washed frequently. Use warm water and soap (no need for antibacterial) and sing the ABC song while you help her wash her hands. One last thing, your nephew should take all of his antibiotics himself. It is important to finish all of the medication as prescribed by his doctor even though he may be feeling better after a few days. Depending on the area in which you live, you may be able to locate an urgent care clinic or other clinic that will treat serious illness for anyone who doesn't have insurance. Many hospitals also have a "Call A Nurse" hotline and you can speak to a nurse concerning health problems and get free advice. Bottom line...do NOT give medication to your daughter that was prescribed for another child.
2007-05-21 07:11:37 · answer #1 · answered by sevenofus 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Antibiotics are not as effective when the whole prescription isn't finished. In fact, that can even lead to drug resistant bacteria to grow. And different infections need different antibiotics, too-just because your nephew of 22 months took omnicef doesn't mean it would be good for whatever is causing your daughter's illness. Your nephew at 22 months also probably needs a different dose of medications than your daughter at 14 months-medication doses are often based on weight, especially in children.
If she's ill enough to go to the doctor, you may need to borrow money to take her, or see about a payment arrangement with the doctor, where you pay off the cost of her appointment and treatment little by little. Don't just give her your nephew's antibiotic leftovers-you risk making her much more sick that way.
2007-05-21 07:01:54 · answer #2 · answered by Erika G 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Being from canada, I don't really know what to say. Is there any free clinics in which you could take your daughter? Or do you have a family member which could put your daughter on their medical plan until her insurance starts? Or who could possibly help you financialy? Remember, that your little one comes first, and keeping her healtly should take presidenence over evrything else. Try contacting red cross. Perhaps they can point you in the right direction, as far as a free clinic. But don't go giving someone elses antibiotics to your little one. How are you to know that she could have aan intolerance to such medications. Better to check with a physician.
2007-05-21 06:55:11 · answer #3 · answered by cmccmh 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
First of all, antibiotics are only effective if you finish the whole prescription, so your nephew shouldn't have any leftovers. Second you can't give someone else's prescription to your daughter. It's illegal and possibly lethal. She could have an allergic reaction and die. There are free clinics out there, also some doctor's offices will work with you. They might be able to give you free samples of antibiotics. Try to work something out that isn't illegal and maybe deadly. good luck.
2007-05-21 06:53:43 · answer #4 · answered by maigen_obx 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
My son used omnicef too for an infection , it worked well. But without a script it's really not safe. Try looking for a free clinic in your area. keep in mind that left over antibiotics lose their effectiveness and may not work .
2007-05-21 06:48:41 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
It is very dangerous to give someone antibiotics that is prescribed to someone else. If she doesn't take it for the amount of days that it is prescribed her body will build of antibodies against the antibiotic and she won't be able to use it again, most importantly, if she has an ear infection, the strand of bacteria will mutate and come back more painful and harder to get rid of.
2007-05-21 06:47:41 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 0⤋
Never give a child someone else's antibiotics! I don't care if you don't have insurance....if you think she is sick TAKE HER TO THE DOCTOR. Just pay for it. She is your child. That is your responsibility. Besides, if she doesn't have an ear infection, then you shouldn't be giving her antibiotics anyway!
2007-05-21 06:51:19 · answer #7 · answered by kat70359 3 · 5⤊ 0⤋
go to the health department, it will be free, your nephews ear infection is likely to come back if he does not take ALL of his meds, that happens a lot parents see they seem better and stop, but you must finish all antibiotics, it must say that on the bottle, go to an emergency room, they cannot refuse you, , call your local health department, they will help
2007-05-21 07:25:01 · answer #8 · answered by melissa s 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
umm sounds like your a little irresponsible to be having a kid!
i know here in California if a child does not have insurance cuz their parent is broke, they can be covered through Medi-Cal type programs. Go to your local hospital or call around look in the phone book, but get that baby some insurance, take her to the Dr. AND DON'T give her any un-prescribed antibiotics! Get Real!
2007-05-21 06:48:17 · answer #9 · answered by 4Real 4 · 1⤊ 3⤋
i wouldn't recommend giving ur daughter ur nephew's med's... it's not smart and u don't even know for sure if ur daughter has an ear infection. call a pediatrician and ask at least.
helpful tip: when giving ur daughter a bath make sure water doesn't go in her ears.. stagnant water causes ear infections.
2007-05-21 06:58:14 · answer #10 · answered by POOCHY 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋