Daughter has salmonella *TMI* and a question about abx

[Miss Peregrine]

I took her to the urgent care on Friday because she had diarrhea for 6 days. Came home and collected a sample because she could not do it there, of course.

After that she had nothing for 2 days. Then it was normal. Monday, a little more diarrhea. Then normal again. The dr just called and said it was positive for salmonella.

 

He wants to give her abx for it. We don't normally do abx but I am wondering if I should since it seems to be getting better.

 

:confused1:

 

ETA: This is my 10 yo.

[MFA323]

I wouldn't do the abx since it seems to be improving. DD just had salmonella about a month ago. Our ped said that they normally try to let the body deal with salmonella on its own. Our bodies are pretty good at getting rid of things in our digestive tracts.

[Twigs]

You might want to look into probiotics.

[somo_chickenlady]

I wouldn't. DS had salmonella a couple years ago. It was a miserable week for him, but it cleared up on its own just fine. If she is starting to improve, I wouldn't use them. JMHO.

[Miss Peregrine]

You might want to look into probiotics.

 

 

During abx or as a full-time supplement?

[Miss Peregrine]

I wouldn't do the abx since it seems to be improving. DD just had salmonella about a month ago. Our ped said that they normally try to let the body deal with salmonella on its own. Our bodies are pretty good at getting rid of things in our digestive tracts.

 

I wouldn't. DS had salmonella a couple years ago. It was a miserable week for him, but it cleared up on its own just fine. If she is starting to improve, I wouldn't use them. JMHO.

 

 

Thanks.

In my reading I am finding that most of the time it clears out on its own. That's good.

[Candid]

I took her to the urgent care on Friday because she had diarrhea for 6 days. Came home and collected a sample because she could not do it there, of course.

After that she had nothing for 2 days. Then it was normal. Monday, a little more diarrhea. Then normal again. The dr just called and said it was positive for salmonella.

 

He wants to give her abx for it. We don't normally do abx but I am wondering if I should since it seems to be getting better.

 

:confused1:

 

ETA: This is my 10 yo.

 

 

Interestingly enough the CDC recommends against ABX for salmonella:

 

Salmonella infections usually resolve in 5-7 days and often do not require treatment other than oral fluids. Persons with severe diarrhea may require rehydration with intravenous fluids. Antibiotics, such as ampicillin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, or ciprofloxacin, are not usually necessary unless the infection spreads from the intestines. Some Salmonella bacteria have become resistant to antibiotics, largely as a result of the use of antibiotics to promote the growth of food animals.

 

http://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/general/diagnosis.html

 

The website has nothing about children vs. adults, but since she is improving you could watch her. However, you should respond rapidly to any spike in fever, change in behavior for the worse (lethargy), or return of diarrhea. Also, monitor her to make sure she is well hydrated.

[Miss Peregrine]

 

Interestingly enough the CDC recommends against ABX for salmonella:

 

 

 

http://www.cdc.gov/s.../diagnosis.html

 

The website has nothing about children vs. adults, but since she is improving you could watch her. However, you should respond rapidly to any spike in fever, change in behavior for the worse (lethargy), or return of diarrhea. Also, monitor her to make sure she is well hydrated.

 

Thank you! Very helpful.

[Farrar]

Mostly seconding these voices. Ds8 and I got salmonella several months ago. Mine was unpleasant but fast and mild. He, on the other hand, was sick as a dog for days and days, but by the time the dx came back as salmonella, he was on the mend and the ped said no way should I give him abx. She said if he wasn't getting better, then yes, but actually they're more dangerous with abx if the person is healing. The abx can make the salmonella retreat and then come back stronger.

[Reya]

Even at 10, it could give her a yeast infection if it's not needed. So if it's getting better on its own, I'd leave it.

[DianeW88]

If she's recovering nicely, then she should be fine on her own. Probiotics will help her digestive tract recover. Yogurt is good if they're not readily available. The best probiotics are sold behind the pharmacy counter and must be kept refrigerated. Ask your pharmacist if they carry them.

[Twigs]

During abx or as a full-time supplement?

 

 

Both.

 

If you decide on abx, then you have to "time" the abx with the probiotics so that the abx don't kill off the probiotics.

 

I had C.diff (a different bacteria than salmonella), had abx but the C.diff came back after the abx treatment was finished. I started probiotics which eventually conquered the C.diff. I still continue probiotics for general health.

 

Best wishes.

[Miss Peregrine]

Both.

 

If you decide on abx, then you have to "time" the abx with the probiotics so that the abx don't kill off the probiotics.

 

I had C.diff (a different bacteria than salmonella), had abx but the C.diff came back after the abx treatment was finished. I started probiotics which eventually conquered the C.diff. I still continue probiotics for general health.

 

Best wishes.

 

 

Thank you. I am starting a new thread about another test result I was just given.

 

http://forums.welltrainedmind.com/topic/446608-freaking-out-in-321/