Due to the dirty air we inhale at this time of the year, every member of our family has taken turns in getting sick. I can handle adults getting sick but now it’s the babe’s turn and I am restless.

After more than two weeks of on and off cough that don’t seem to end even with medication, I took her to the doctor last night because she had fever. The doctor said chest sound is suspicious and asked us to go for x-ray and blood test. Blood what!? The scene during blood drawing was really heartbreaking! Then we picked up her medicines and went home. Everything was fine…

Until 3 am when I woke up with her moans and complaints of stomach pain. She couldn’t sleep, kept on telling me pain, pain and wanting me to rub her tummy. I gave her lukewarm water and observed. She would sleep for a minute, wake up the next and cry - like that in the next two hours! I read the antibiotic suspension given to her and it said:

“Known side effects include gastro-intestinal disturbance. A systemic reaction can also follow, to be readily treated by means of gastric lavage and supportive measures”.

That’s it but what should I do now?

Should I give her meds for stomach pain? Will it not contradict with the meds she just took? I was dead worried and did not have any other choice but to research the net for medical information. I can’t call her pediatrician at 3 am, can I?