Details
Story
Sam, who is now 8 years old, was given a course of amoxicillin for a throat infection when he was 2 years old. Two days later he developed a red spotty rash. He was diagnosed with a penicillin allergy and told not to take penicillin again.
Medical review
The throat infection is more likely to have caused the rash than the amoxicillin. Sam was given a 5 day course of amoxicillin when well. He had no rash. Sam is no longer labelled as penicillin allergy and can now have penicillin for infections if needed.
Learning point
Antibiotic allergy in children is rare. Only 1-2 in 10 children with a label of antibiotic allergy really are allergic to antibiotics. Reviewing the story and if thought appropriate, challenging the child to the antibiotic can often help remove an incorrect allergy label, allowing simpler treatment for future bacterial infections.
Case Studies Details
- 27 Apr 2017
- CASE STUDIES