my son was diagnosed with a double ear infection today. The dr. wrote the script for antibiotics but he wanted me to wait 48 hours to see if he would get better on his own. -- using tylenol and advil to conrtol the pain. This child has been miserable for most of the weekend. He was up twice in the middle of the night crying last night. Once he even pointed to his ear and said "ear". I understand the antibiotic resistance problem. and the fact that most infections will get better on their own. Have you watched an ear infection and not given antibiotics and how long did it take to get better. ??
I thought about waiting to see if he would get better on his own.. but the kid had already been sick for 5 days... and he was not improving.. so I got that antibiotic prescription filled. After 3 doses he started to act more noraml and not so cranky.
I've always been given antibiodics. My daughter will probably need tubes. Her ear infections (4 in 3 months) have always been double and always "severe". It may depend on the level of the infection.
Honestly, I would fill the script.
Yes. Our doctor has us wait. The one time we had to use them it gave my son really bad runny poop and was worse than the ear infection!
I have waited before but i buy the numbing drops to help with the pain. There has been a lot of talk about overuse of antibiotics lately. However, I have to say that my Aunt died as a child because of the overuse of antibiotics. By the time they figured out what was wrong she had so many antibiotics in the past year that she ha become immune and dies form a very simple bacterial infection....so i am a wait and see kind of Mom.
I have a four year old and a two yearold both constantly have ear infections. Im actually taking my son in for a hearing test tomarow to see if we need tubes. My doctor has made me wait if there was only fluid in the ears and slight redness but never for a flown blown infection. I can see wanting to wait because children do get ammune to the antibiotics but also you don't want ruptered ear drums that can cause hearing loss.
To start off my son is 20 months and has already had 9 ear infections. My doc has always put him on one right away if not the childs ear drum can burst and thats not good either. I have heard of them not giving one if it doesn't look that bad, because they believe some get better on their own. But if i were you I would go get it. It sounds like he needs it. I know with out it my son would have an ear infection all winter long:( Anyways hope this helps a little.
I wait. Please note that many of those saying they always get the script have had kids with multiple, excessive infections. This is because a) many of the infections are not viral anyway b)its likely the kid has had the same infection a couple of times- the meds make it appear to be gone and it comes back stronger than ever.
There are drops you can buy for the ears, rub olive oil in and around to sooth, be sure the child is sleeping on a significant incline, as lying flat is very painful with the ear infection,...and also look at diet. A number of Drs now think that ear infections are a result of a food allergy- we cut out cow's dairy and have seen amazing results(switched to goat).
Google ear infections- there is a lot out there besides antibiotics- oils, chiropractors, diet, massage..... Finally- if you do go with the antibiotic, get a probiotic too- helps their tummy a lot.
Good luck (and keep checking for fever that may show a secondary infection....)
Hi Lisa,
If you do the research 85% of ear infections are viral and antibiotics won't help. With that being said he's your son and if you feel like he needs the antibiotics fill the prescription. My kids are 5 and a half and 3 and half both only been on antibiotics once in their life. It's hard to see your little ones in pain and sick but I would keep up the motrin and tylenol and hopefully he will be feeling better soon. Good luck.
Chris
My son's ped prescribes numbing drops to use for three days and then rechecks his ears. Apparently they've found that most ear infections are viral (which do not respond to antibiotics) as opposed to bacterial (which do) and will go away on their own.
When I was a little kid I ALWAYS got antibiotics for ear infections and now I can no longer take them. I prefer to wait and see, keep in touch with the ped and do everything to make my son comfortable.
Our doctor never asked us to wait
We had TONS of ear infections and ended up with tubes.
Sorry I am not more helpfull!
