Clarification Needed on Medication Dosage for Child
A physician has prescribed a 10ml dosage of Zeethromax (200mg/5ml) for a child weighing 20kg over a three-day period. The doctor is confident that this dosage is appropriate, suggesting that the information on the medication leaflet might be inaccurate. The child in question, a 7-year-old, is diagnosed with RSV and has otitis. Symptoms include green mucus from the nose and ear, but he does not have a fever. Is the doctor's recommendation sound? I am not seeking professional medical advice, but I would like to gather insights from other medical professionals regarding this situation.
Answers (1)
2/16/2026, 4:40:32 PM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you're understandably concerned about the prescription your child received, especially considering the specific diagnosis and the dosage recommended by the physician. Here are some main points regarding the situation:
-
Understanding the Medication: Zeethromax (Azithromycin) is often used to treat bacterial infections. The concentration you're referring to (200 mg/5 mL) indicates that the medication contains 200 mg of azithromycin in every 5 mL of liquid. Therefore, a 10 mL dosage will deliver 400 mg of azithromycin.
-
Dosage for Children: The standard dosing for azithromycin can vary based on the condition being treated and the child’s weight. For many infections, dosages are typically calculated based on the child’s weight (usually in mg per kg). Common dosing for respiratory infections ranges between 10 mg/kg to 12 mg/kg on the first day, followed by a lower maintenance dose.
-
Evaluating the Prescribed Dosage: Since your child weighs 20 kg, a 10 mL dose (400 mg) would translate to a dosage of 20 mg/kg in total, which is above the usual recommendation for many infections. However, prescriptions can vary based on clinical judgment, severity of the infection, and other factors.
-
Next Steps:
- Monitor Symptoms: Keep an eye on your child's symptoms during the treatment. Look for any signs of improvement or worsening in symptoms.
- Hydration and Comfort: Ensure your child is well-hydrated and comfortable, especially since RSV and ear infections can cause discomfort.
- Consult Resources: If you're uncertain, consider referring to trusted medical guidelines online (from sources like the CDC or WHO) regarding azithromycin dosing in children. This can provide you with additional context on standard practices.
- Record Keeping: Document your child’s symptoms, any changes, and responses to the medication during the treatment period. This will be helpful should you need to reach out with further questions.
It's important to trust the guidance of healthcare professionals but also feel comfortable seeking clarification whenever there are concerns about prescribed treatments. Please monitor your child's condition and consider engaging in a follow-up conversation with the prescribing physician if doubts about the dosage persist.
Related Questions
Experiencing Nerve Discomfort
Greetings, I'm a 21-year-old residing in Estonia. In the winter of 2021, I participated in a disc golf game under chilly conditions. Following my initial throw, which I executed without much warm-up and with a potent backhand technique, I noticed an odd sensation in my upper body after the match. Specifically, there was a tender spot beneath my right collarbone on the neck side, which brought about discomfort when I pressed on it. Unfortunately, this issue has persisted for quite some time. Despite undergoing various tests, including an MRI and engaging in physical therapy exercises, I've yet to find relief. While there are moments of respite from the pain, when it returns, it's quite bothersome. The discomfort travels from my collarbone to my shoulder and elbow, and occasionally, I experience a lingering cold sensation in my fingertips. This constant soreness has been particularly consistent for the past month. Currently, I am undergoing magnetic therapy; interestingly, the pain has now surfaced on the left side, mirroring the previous symptoms. Pressing on the area beneath the left collarbone also triggers pain similar to that on the right side. Recently, while using a massage roller, I discovered tenderness when applying pressure along the mid-back, around the T8-12 vertebrae, which also exacerbated my upper body discomfort. Overall, the pain results in a sensation of tension and anxiety throughout my upper body; it escalates significantly when I cough or sneeze. Presently, taking paracetamol alleviates the pain on the right side but does little for the left, which remains quite intense. Regarding my MRI results: A medium-field MRI scan of the sternoclavicular joints was conducted without contrast, examining various sequences (T2 fs axial, T1 axial, T2 axial, T2 fs sagittal, T2 fs coronal, and DWI axial). The examination revealed a signal change indicative of subchondral edema in the medial portion of the left clavicle along with some edema in that area. Minor signal changes were also noted in the cartilage beneath the joint's lower edge. Notably, there is no presence of fluid buildup in the sternoclavicular joints, and the ligaments appear normal with no significant findings. The surrounding soft tissues show no signs of swelling. The conclusion from the MRI indicates a signal change compatible with edema in the medial part of the clavicle as well as minimal cartilage signal alteration, suggestive of an osteochondral lesion. I appreciate your attention to my situation and would be grateful for any insights or shared experiences from others who might have faced similar challenges.
Sudden Fever and Rapid Recovery: A Health Query
**Age**: 28 **Gender**: Male **Height**: 177 cm **Weight**: 85 kg **Ethnicity**: Caucasian **Duration of Symptoms**: A few hours **Location**: Denmark **Pre-existing Medical Conditions**: None **Current Medications**: None Hello, Earlier today, around 4 PM, I began to feel unwell, as if I was coming down with a fever. I was lying on the couch wrapped in layers of clothing, yet I started to feel increasingly cold. To warm up, I moved to my bed, but as I undressed to get comfortable, I was shaking uncontrollably. I attempted to warm myself, but my efforts were futile. Approximately 30 minutes after getting into bed, I realized I needed to take some ibuprofen. However, the walk to the bathroom made me feel even colder and intensify my shivering. I spent the time in bed focusing on reducing my shivers and trying to prevent the chill. About 45 minutes post-medication, the shaking subsided, but I still felt quite unwell. Eventually, I managed to doze off, and after about half an hour, I woke up feeling completely normal. This was around 6:30 PM. Now, at 9:30 PM, I can barely recall having had a fever, though it felt very intense while it lasted. I haven't had a fever of that severity in quite some time. Here's my concern: I've been dealing with a mildly infected wisdom tooth for the past few days. It seemed to peak two days ago but has been less painful since yesterday, and today I hardly feel it aside from some swelling. Should I reach out to a doctor, or do you think I will be okay? I’m just a bit perplexed by how quickly my condition changed from feeling very sick to completely fine. If my wisdom tooth had been giving me more trouble today alongside the fever, I would have sought medical advice immediately, but since the pain has lessened, I'm unsure. Thanks for your guidance!
Persistent Fevers and Lymphadenopathy Concerns
Greetings! I’m a 21-year-old female living with POTS, yet over the last year, I've experienced some increasingly unusual symptoms that I would like to highlight: - Five lymph nodes that feel rubbery and are approximately the size of grapes - Daily fevers fluctuating between 101 and 102°F - Noticeable weight loss along with a diminished appetite (this has escalated recently, leading to a loss of about 3 pounds weekly) - Appearance of purple spots on my leg - Presence of eosinophilia as well as ovalocytes and monocytes in my blood tests - Significant fatigue coupled with shortness of breath - Severe episodes of sweating, both during the night and throughout the day, that seem to appear sporadically I have already undergone evaluations that ruled out heart diseases, infections, parasitic infections, and most autoimmune disorders. Any insights or experiences related to these symptoms would be greatly appreciated!
Is It Time to Consult My Doctor?
I've been unwell for the past ten days, experiencing a combination of fever, persistent cough, nasal and chest congestion, along with a sore throat. Initially, my fever was quite mild, and I felt I was on the mend toward the end of last week. However, my condition suddenly worsened, with the cough and nasal congestion becoming much more severe. Currently, my fever remains elevated between 102 and 103 degrees, despite taking medications. While I have noticed a slight improvement in my cough, the sinus issues have escalated to the worst I've ever encountered. I’m experiencing pain in my face and a continual brown discharge from one nostril. I’m fairly confident that pneumonia is not the issue here, and the majority of my symptoms are typically linked to viral infections. So, I question the necessity of scheduling a visit with my doctor. I am a 31-year-old woman, not on any medications, with no significant health issues. My height is 5'10" and I weigh 138 pounds, residing in the United States.
I've Been Experiencing a Fever for Three Days—What Should I Do?
(M16) Let me provide you with a detailed account of my recent health issue. On Sunday, I woke up with an intense headache. My father, who tends to be quite protective and easily anxious, suggested that I check my temperature. It registered at 37.1°C. Moving to Monday, I experienced several bouts of sweating throughout the night. When morning arrived, my headache persisted. I took my temperature again, and it had risen to 37.7°C. Last night, the sweating episodes continued, and I found it quite unpleasant. This Tuesday morning, my headache was still bothering me, so I measured my temperature once more—this time, it peaked at 38.7°C. Consequently, I decided to skip school today. I had also left early the previous day. Every time I change position—whether I stand, sit, bend, or lean—I feel an intensification of the headache, but thankfully, it only lasts for a brief moment. As I write this at 8:15 PM, I’m quite apprehensive about facing another night of waking up drenched in sweat. Can anyone provide some guidance on what steps I should take?