Antibiotics for prevention

[shepsmom]

Hi all,
I have a question for you. I have the flu- 5 days or so. Went to the gp yesterday. He refused to give me antibiotics because he said- "I'm pretty sure its the flu, you don't need them."
I argued that since I was having severe breathing problems wouldn't it be wise to give them to me just in case?

my question- Should those with hiv be treated with antibiotics preventatively?

I have been poz since 1986 and have had some serious problems getting my numbers up past the 300 mark.

[DanielMark]

Shepsmom,

If you've had your Pneumovax shot then I think you probably don't need antibiotics. Overuse of antibiotics only makes your system weaker in the long run.  If you haven't had a Pneumovax shot, it's important you get one.

Daniel

[Winiroo]

Some doctors regularly push HIV'ers with lower tcells to use Bactrim daily.

Mine is one of them. It may not be generally accepted but I wont take it unless I feel something going on with my lungs.

If you where to use antibiotics too often you could develop a resistance to them and when you really needed an antibiotic it might not work for you.

Get well soon!

Wendy

[anniebc]

Hi Shep
 
The Flu is caused by a virus and antibiotics don't treat viral infections, so i can understand why your Doc didn't want to prescibed them.

I agree with Daniel you need to have your Pneumovax shot if you haven't had one already and the overuse of anti-biotics are not good for you in the long run.

Hope hope you start feeling better soon..the flu is a nasty little bug to be dealing with.

Hugs
Jan

[shepsmom]

thank you all for your help and well wishes.

I haven't had pneumovax or a flu shot. I rarely get sick (lol) I am not the type to run and ask for antibiotics the minute I get the sniffles either. In fact, its like pulling teeth to get me to the doctor at all! I have never out right asked for an antibiotic but (no I'm not a doctor) in this case, I think it would be wise. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure....

Thanks again folks. I just kind of wondered if there was a rule of thumb on this or if someone had maybe had some similar situation. I was thinking I might need to look for a new doc if he isn't treating me right. I wish there was some guide line or something on the internet on this subject.

Good health to you all!

[BT65]

Shepsmom, you don't post what your numbers are.  Doctors usually put people with lower than 200 CD4s on a preventitive antibiotic, unless someone whose CD4s are over 200 has already had pneumocystis, then they usually start them sooner. 

I'm like Wendy, I don't take my Bactrim unless I know I have some kind of nasal infection or chest infection.  Not surprising if you have the flu that your doctor didn't put you on an antibiotic.  That wouldn't do anything.   

[Winiroo]

Don't they have antivirals they can give to you when you have the flu to help alleviate it quicker?

I seem to recall getting something once when I had the flu.

But then again my memory isnt what it used to be...

Wendy