my 9 yo son has gotten a virus the last 2 winters and has one now. He gets croup (I know he is old for this, but it started when we moved from Texas to Colorado) and has difficulty breathing. The last 2 winters, they prescribed prednisone and cough syrup with codeine. He always gets better after the prednisone. Today, the ER doctor prescribed prednisone AND cephalaxin antibiotic. My son s ears, throat and chest x-ray were clear. The chest x-ray did not show pneumonia, but did show some bronchiolitis. Is it necessary for him to take the antibiotic? His highest fever was 105 (before medication) and today w/out fever reducers is 103. Thank you.
Hello! Welcome to Chat Doctor ! Yes, it is necessary because in very high grade fever we are suspecting some infection, we prescribe antibiotic to make sure that if there is any underlying infection it gets resolve with antibiotics. If we don't give antibiotics in child with high grade fever and breathing differently; underlying problems can deteriorate the child condition. So play safe and prescribe prophylactically. Thank you for contacting us. Hope this clarifies your concerns. Take care