Alternatives to antibiotics?

[Pencil Pusher]

Dh just got off of antibiotics about 2 weeks ago, & he's sick again. Dr said it's just allergies, & it could be--dh has tons of allergies, but he's also sick often enough that he pretty much knows the routine, kwim? And this dr so far seems like a 2-copay kind-of guy (i.e., this isn't the 1st time we've gone in "too soon" & had something diagnosed the second time).

Anyway, he wasn't rx'd antibiotics, but he'd really like to not be on them again so soon anyway. Are there any alternatives/natural remedies?

I don't know his symptoms exactly; he's saving me the gross details. Fwiw, we have had a bug here. Dd went in w a 102 fever last Mon, & she's much better, but still pretty tired. I thought I had the same thing on Sun--I slept nearly the whole day, had a fever, etc--but Mon morn I was ok.

Thank you!!

[Rich with Kids]

Garlic! It's cured me of a UTI. I swear! My dd is taking it daily and it has cured her of a chronic cough and other allergy symptoms. It's worth a shot. I use Nature's Bounty odorless Garlic soft gels. 1000mg. I got them at Wal-Mart.

[hana]

Garlic is what I was going to say, too. Also, some echinacea to boost his immune system when he suspects he might be getting ill.

[Pencil Pusher]

Garlic is what I was going to say, too. Also, some echinacea to boost his immune system when he suspects he might be getting ill.

Hmmm...we've got both of those in the med. cab. Wonder if he's been taking them?

[Melissa H. in GA]

Nature's Plus is a great brand. Olive leaf is a natural antibiotic and it has helped me when RX's have not.

HTH,

Melissa

[j.griff]

Ooooh, thanks for mentioning that. I had a UTI a couple of weeks ago, and a couple of years ago they would have made me do a follow up to make sure it's gone, but they don't do that any more. And now they only make you take the antibiotics for 3 days. Do you take them all the time, or just when you think you "need it"? TIA

[Tarheel Heather]

antifungal, antiviral, antibacterial, and immune system stimulating properties

http://www.mountainroseherbs.com/learn/spilanthes.php

[sdWTMer]

Hey Aubrey,

My eldest son had what's called a selective IgA deficiency. It is when the body can't fight infections in all the mucousal areas, sinus cavities, intestines and whatnot.

Maybe your son could have these kind of issues. You could see an allergist and get an immune panel work up.

My poor son had soooo many antibiotics when he was younger :( and I feel so guilty about that. Of course, my son's were all sinus related. So, I tell other parents about these deficiencies.

HTH

[Mom2legomaniacs]

One thing my DR mentioned to me once was that some of these infections were actually caused by fungal infection rather than a bacterial infection. So, the antibiotics would not help in those cases. I don't have more info on what to do about that. But I did recall that conversation. Maybe you can find more about this.

[Rosie_0801]

Wild Oregano essential oil

And while I'm at it, I'll report the spam.

Rosie

[strider]

2 ideas:

--Garlic. Seriously. Once when dh and I were dating, dh felt a virus take hold in his system. This sent him into a blind panic as he had finals as well as an actuarial exam coming up. He ate an ENTIRE HEAD of raw garlic. (The guys in his fraternity watched and cheered him on clove by clove :lol: .) He REEKED. Honestly, the smell came out in his sweat for a couple days. However, he kicked that virus right out of his system--he was completely fine the next day.

--Sinus rinse and gargling. Basic sanitization of the affected areas can have a remarkable effect. Make sure your dh gargles a minimum of twice a day with salt water or mouthwash. For the sinus rinse, there are a couple good options. One is the neti pot. Another is OTC saline nasal spray.

However, the one I find easiest and gentlest is to fill a large mixing bowl with warm water and 2T table salt. Stir to dissolve. Immerse face and hold level. Blow OUT for a few seconds to clear nasal passages of air. Hold without blowing or breathing for 10-15 seconds. You will feel the warm water gently in the nose--this is not in any way painful or uncomfortable. Remove face from water and blow nose. Repeat.

[Perry]

Neti pot. Around here, doctors don't even want to prescribe an antibiotic until you've tried the sinus rinses first.

[Kalah]

As an alternative to Neti Pot, I prefer Neil-Med sinuses rinses. I like that they provide a little bit of pressure in the water flow.

[Karen in CO]

If it's in the head, a netti pot and a humidifier (assuming you are somewhere dry and running a heater). Mucinex and extra water will help too.

If it is somewhere else, I'd need some details.

[HiddenJewel]

One thing my DR mentioned to me once was that some of these infections were actually caused by fungal infection rather than a bacterial infection. So, the antibiotics would not help in those cases. I don't have more info on what to do about that. But I did recall that conversation. Maybe you can find more about this.

The nice thing about many natural antibacterials is they also have antiviral and antifungal properties.

The one thing to remember with natural pathogen killers or immune boosters is that consistency is the key. We have found that we need to take them fairly often during an infection. With medicinal use of garlic I take 2 cloves crushed in some honey 3 times per day. Kicked a sore throat in one day which had been hanging on and on. Vitamin C is also a big help for me. So do your research on what quantities and time frames are necessary to be effective. I like Herbal Antibiotics (http://www.amazon.com/Herbal-Antibiotics-Alternatives-Drug-Resistant-Medicinal/dp/1580171486/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1323363232&sr=8-1) by Stephen Buhner as a good starting point for learning herbal antibiotics.

[connib]

Garlic! It's cured me of a UTI. I swear! My dd is taking it daily and it has cured her of a chronic cough and other allergy symptoms. It's worth a shot. I use Nature's Bounty odorless Garlic soft gels. 1000mg. I got them at Wal-Mart.

:iagree: