Look for Free Antibiotics for Your Sick Kid

This may land me in the annals of bad mothering, but there is something about my son when he gets feverish that makes my heart turn to mush. He becomes this steamy, floppy, clingy creature and it takes effort on my part not to constantly hug him and kiss him. He’s like that today, feverish. It came with a headache, vomiting, sniffles and a sore throat. I took him to the doctor this morning, where he claimed to feel fine. His fever suggested the same, but the swab test didn’t lie. He had strep throat. Four hours later he was feverish again, pushing 105 on that external temple thermometer that also registered 102.7 and 102.3 just seconds earlier. I suppose the exact measurement isn’t important, just that he is feverish, which any mother can tell just by placing her cheek against her son’s flush face while smothering him with yet another hug because he is beyond adorable when he is pathetic. 

We chose our son’s pediatrician because he is not quick to dole out antibiotic prescriptions, but this latest illness warranted meds. I picked up Truman’s antibiotic at Publix, which I was surprised to find was FREE. All these months my child has been healthy I failed to hear the news that various supermarkets offer free oral antibiotics with a doctor’s prescription. There are limitations, such as offer end-dates and the types of antibiotics offered. For example, Publix Supermarkets  (located in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and now Alabama) offer seven different generic antibiotics, up to a 14-day supply. Other stores that have participated at least in the past include Meijer, Big Y and Walmart. Your pediatrician should know which pharmacies offer the program, and you can get details from the participating pharmacy. Or troll around on the Internet for stores in your area to see if they participate. Do check back with your pharmacy, as some stores offered it only during the colder months last year.

Here’s another FYI. My doctor gave us a choice in how our son could receive his meds – orally or by injection. I was somewhat indifferent so we went with oral. I understand now had we chosen injection our son would have had to endure one painful shot, and that’s it. With the oral option, I have to remember to give him two doses of antibiotic liquid a day for 10 days. The pay off comes with the free antibiotics, since had we chosen the injection I’m sure our be-all-to-end-all Blue Cross and Blue Shield package, which sucks, would have covered almost none of the cost.

Even though I love loving on my sizzling hot little boy, I do hope those meds kick in soon. He’s missing Kindergarten, for crissake!

Photo, JWJourney