Q: My child gets bronchitis often and takes antibiotics. Is it necessary to give probiotics?

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Question:

My child seems to get bronchitis so often that it feels like they're on antibiotics all year round. I've never given them probiotics because they don't have constipation, and they just have yogurt occasionally. For a child who takes antibiotics frequently, is it essential to give them probiotics? Also, do probiotics help improve their immunity, considering they get sick so often?

Answer:

It must be concerning to use antibiotics frequently due to recurrent infections.

## 【Taking Probiotics: Not Essential, but Can Be Helpful】

Probiotics During and After Antibiotics

• Antibiotics can reduce the beneficial bacteria in the gut → Taking probiotics concurrently can help prevent side effects like diarrhea and abdominal pain.

• If your child has no constipation and digests food well, it's not absolutely necessary.

• If you choose to give them: Administer it 2 hours apart from the antibiotic, and it's generally recommended to continue for 1-2 weeks after finishing the antibiotic course.

Immunity and Infection Prevention Effects

• While gut health can influence overall immunity, there is limited strong evidence that probiotics alone significantly reduce the frequency of bronchitis or colds.

• Fermented dairy products like yogurt can also be a good source of probiotics.

## 【For Recurrent Infections, Finding the Root Cause Is More Important】

What to Check with Your Pediatrician

• Presence of underlying conditions like asthma or allergic rhinitis (airway hypersensitivity → susceptibility to infection).

• Environmental factors like secondhand smoke, indoor humidity, and the daycare environment.

• Vaccination status (e.g., Pneumococcal, Influenza).

• In rare cases: An immune function evaluation may be needed (especially if there are recurrent ear infections, pneumonia, or sinusitis).

What You Can Do at Home Now

• The basics are handwashing, adequate sleep, and a balanced diet.

• Maintain indoor humidity at 40-60% and ensure a smoke-free environment.

• If you want to try probiotics → It's okay to start them while your child is taking antibiotics.

## 【Questions to Ask Your Doctor】

"Are any additional tests needed to find the cause of these frequent illnesses?"

"What is the possibility of asthma or allergic rhinitis?"

"Are there any areas for improvement in our prevention strategies (e.g., vaccines, environmental control)?"

If needed, I can help you with a checklist for the next steps.

For extra peace of mind and clear guidance when tracking your child's symptoms, the FeverCoach app is always there to help.

https://fevercoach.us