Antibiotics & Ear Infections – Treat or Wait and See?

I've always followed the rule where if they say it hurts, are crying or can't sleep, get the antibiotics. That being said if she doesn't have these problems, but you are worried, get it checked. Motrin or Tylenol might relieve some of her discomfort.

My oldest had TONS of ear infections and he just had one last year at 13! It was pretty bad by the time he told me about it and I got him in to the dr. So maybe she has a high tolerance of pain.

All you can do is get it checked and go from there. If she gets lots of ear infections, talk to the dr. about preventative treatment. Maybe she has allergies. Maybe she needs tubes.

Good luck!

M.

Has she been diagnosed with any kind of allergy? Have you tried to dry up the ear and fluid w/ a short-term antihistamine, like Sudafed? It's safer at this point than giving her the antibiotic right away. If he is suggesting to "wait and see", I would definitely see if the Sudafed will help with getting rid of the fluid. I wouldn't be as concerned about a little fluid, the thing that you want to know is if the fluid looks "clear" or if it looks like there could be a possible sign of infection. Also, I agree with a previous post that, my children didn't always have severe high fevers with an ear infection. Sometimes the only symptom (that I did miss!) was the ear tugging, then a couple of days would pass and their pain level would go from no pain.... to EXCRUCIATING and by that time, you are sitting in front of the doctor and they are asking...."why didn't YOU bring them sooner???? (done that too!) That's why the Sudafed or Benadryal may be helpful right now. Even having her lie on a warm/hot water bottle if she does feel any achiness or pressure.

Good Luck!

I think you can get a home version of an otoscope at your local drug store. It's the thing that docs use to look at the ear drum to see if there's any fluid behind it. You might look around for one so you can keep an eye on it yourself. It takes a little practice so try on a spouse or friend first before trying it on a wiggly little on. That way you can tell if the ear drum is red or bulging and you won't just have to rely on your daughter's answers.

The current recomendation of the American Academy of Pediatrics is to wait unless there is a high fever (I think > 102). The logic is that most ear infections resolve on their own with no damage and creating antibiotic resistance is a far bigger threat- not to mention the side effects of the antibiotics. Ear infections are often viral so antibiotics don't treat them at all anyway. Antibiotics do not relieve pain, either. Here is a website for more info: http://kidshealth.org/parent/infections/ear/otitis_media....

My daughter is 7....almost 8...and her ear infections started right before she was 3. She's had 5 sets of tubes in her ears and when the tubes are in she has no infections at all. But the minute they fall out (they just come out on their own over time) but as soon as they fall out....she's back to fluid sitting and more infections. I didn't know what to do....I was at the Ped and ENT all the time and nothing I did would help!(ear plugs in bath and swimming, sudafed....) Well...after 4 years, I've learned.... it's ALLERGIES!! Severe severe allergies!! She's on allergy shots now and she should have been a long time ago I am finding out. They seem to be helping. My advice is go have her tested for allergies, and start with allergy meds. Good luck! I don't wish what I have been through with ear infections on anyone!!

My Daughter has had ear infections for 3 years now. When she was 3 she had 8 back to back, it was awful as you can imagine. I too did not want to use antibiotics that often but I had to, by the time I knew she had ear infections they were raging the doctor said. My daughter never showed any signs that she had them, never said her ears hurt, never pulled at them. She does not have allergies,( othe than Elm trees) I did go that route. At 4 we discussed ear tubes, it was a 50/50 according to different research I did. I have to say she is now 4 1/2 and I'm glad I did not do them and just stuck with the antibiotics she has not had 1 ear infection this winter.
Do pay as close attention as you can because they can cause severe damage.

After going through ear infections and tubes with all of my children I can tell you that you can't always wait for a fever or wait for her to complain about pain. My children have never had a fever or complained of ear infections but have had enough to finally put tubes in their ears. If you don't want to just give her the meds then take her back to the doctor to have them check her out again. I understand that you don't want to give her the antibiotics if you don't have to. Ear infections can cause permanent hearing damage and are not something to be taken lightly.

J.