My 3 yr old has a cold, went to urgent care today bc she said ears hurt. They gave her amoxicillin bc they are bulging. Her mood and appetite are fine. We have 2 parties to go to but I feel I should keep her home and DH can take older dau. He thinks she's fine to go at least to the 2nd one which is close family but I am concerned about all the kids and germs. She doesnt nap anynore unless in car so he was thinking she could nap in car. Thoughts?
Ear infections are NOT contagious. The cold she had before the ear infection was (and is likely gone now), but the ear infection itself is not. After all, it's not like anyone else can be exposed to the goop inside her ear.
So, if she is acting well enough to go, you could go. But if she's miserable, then keep her home. No sense in ruining everyone's day with a fussy toddler who needs lots of rest.
Depends on how SHE feels. As far as I know, ear infections are not contagious...so if she feels okay, take her. If not, stay home.
If she is feeling well I would let her go, but be prepared to leave if she gets tired/cranky. Ear infections are not contagious. The bacteria is trapped in the middle ear and cannot infect any of the other children.
Stay home. She won't enjoy it, and no one else benefits from a sick kid joining the fray. She's 3. Thee will be other parties.
I'm kind of surprised at the answers here. Would you send her to school like that? I'm guessing not, and if another child were in her condition, wouldn't want that parent to be considerate and keep their sick kid home? 3 year olds are not exactly the most clean people in the world.
Not to mention, I can't imagine how uncomfortable she is. She may be acting "normal", but she's probably feeling lousy. Would you want to go to 2 parties with that diagnosis? I know I wouldn't. Double ear infection with cold means she needs to rest and take a break. Not run around at 2 parties.
She is contagious until she's been on the anitbiotic for at least 24 hours. I wouldn't go to the parties, as she could infect other kids, and that's really not fair to anyone.
ETA: My son's birthday party was 2 weeks ago. We ended up with no guests, because my sister's kids both had ear infections, and my brother who was traveling from out of state for it got sick too, and it was to be a family only party. The hosts should be understanding, and I doubt they'd want their kids getting sick from guests.
First, would you want to go to a party when you are not feeling well? Or, would you want to rest up?
Second, if you were the host of the party, what would you expect of your guests if they/their children were sick?
Considering those options should help to determine whether to attend or skip the party.
Keep the illness at home instead of spreading it around. Let your daughter rest in her own home, where she'll get better faster than if she's out socializing and being excitable and over-active. Don't play up the party part of it... play up the fact that you're getting Mommy-Daughter time without the other siblings and do something special at home with her. Something quiet and restful, but definitely keep her home.
Your husband is basing his choice for her on her behavior, not her diagnosis. He needs to consider the diagnosis AND the other party goers, as you're doing.
Our rule? Limit exposure for the sake of the others until on antibiotics for 24 hours.
she is most likely not contagious..but she probably feels yucky.. not like going to a party..we usually wait for the drugs to work.. 24-48 hours.. my kids might go back to school the next day after starting antibiotics.. but progbably not a party.
She needs to skip the parties...She needs her rest
I would stay home, personally. I hope she feels better soon!
Whenever my kids have any ear symptoms I eliminate dairy and have them adjusted by our chiropractor. Clears right up!
You could give it a try...but be prepared if she starts feeling bad..
This opened to our daughter once.. We gave it a try and at one point we looked at each other and knew she just wanted to be home... She was 4... Poor thing... She really wanted to stay, but she said she wanted to go home and sleep...
I did a google search: 'bacterial ear infections contagious' because I was curious about this myself. There was nothing definitive, but if she has a cold which another child might catch-- if that virus settles into the middle ear, then an ear infection can develop. My son recently had one and stayed home for a bit to rest. It sure is hard to get them to slow down, though.
Resting is the best way to fight off an infection. I'd keep her home. Especially with the cornucopia of bugs going around right now--she doesn't need to add another illness to whatever her immune system is already coping with. Maybe offer a special 'movie time', some warm water with honey and lemon in a fancy cup or something else which would be a 'special treat' but won't make her feel worse.
I would let her go if it was just the ear infections (as long as she seemed up to it). If she still has a cold, I would keep her home because it's not fair to expose the other kids to that.
