Absolute bloody disaster!! We're supposed to go to Disneyland in a few hours

[Sneakysloth]

We have to leave at 9am to drive to the eurotunnel and go to Disneyland and I've been awake since 2am with a sobbing 4 year old really distressed that his ear hurts. We've all had horrible coughs/colds this last week and I think his has developed into an ear infection. He keeps asking if we can still go and I'm telling him not to worry and just to rest but then he gets distressed that he doesn't want to not go. I phoned 111 at 3am but not heard back yet (I know that might sound dramatic, but it is the weekend and it seemed better than A&E?)

He's had calpol when he first woke, ibuprofen not long ago, got a warm flannel on his ear. I'm sat up so he can rest on me and be a bit more upright to try ease pain. We wait for the doctor to call. But in the mean time.. gonna have to shatter all my kids excitement about Disneyland aren't I?

As horrified as I am at the “go to A&E” posts, I’m also incredibly surprised at how few people are sensibly pointing out that you don’t necessarily NEED antibiotics for an ear infection. A lot can be treated just with pain relief, nothing else. This demand for antibiotics for everything is incredibly worrying given the concerns around AB resistance due to overuse.

If you have antibiotics now and painkillers that take the edge off then I would just go.

Take a hot water bottle as that can ease the pain.

DS had a really nasty ear infection recently, he’s almost 18 and a tall muscly lad, it had him crying because he couldn’t even lift his head off the pillow. Hot water bottle was the only thing to provide relief. He improved dramatically after 24h of antibiotics.

Why is everyone saying go to out of hours gp?

Out of hours gp iis 111 which she rightly has done.

I don't think pharmacists will treat ear infections in children.

Certainly not a case for A and E.

Yes they can. There’s a new system in operation.

Pharmacists can treat all sorts of basic conditions - ear infections, water infections - over the counter antibiotics …. You should look up the minor ailments scheme particularly if you have children as it’s free on prescription.

If the euro tunnels anything like the ferry, if you get there late they put you on the next one.
Sometimes they'll charge, sometimes they'll charge, but don't write off tge whole holiday

How is he now Op? My Eldest would have ear pain occasionally throughout the night only for it to be gone by morning!

In your shoes I would use Google to find a private GP, pay for an appointment as early as possible and get a prescription.

I'd go. Mine used to get terrible ear infections but they perked up quite quickly too. I hope you're on your way.

Fuck sake, don’t put olive oil anywhere near an infected ear.

Yes, l was thinking this!

Go and then hotfoot it to a French pharmacy when you arrive. You'll come out with a bag of stuff that will knock out any infection in 24 hours.

hope you manage to get some antibiotics and are on the way!

Painkillers, over the counter ear drops and French pharmacy if still needed on arrival . Most ear infections don't need antibiotics. Set off now and go to the Tesco at Folkestone

Also don’t do a no show on Eurostar, as they may cancel whole booking, ring ahead.

My son went to A&E with earache a day after the GP gave him antibiotics. He was admitted with meningitis. I thank god he did. Earache can cause complications.

Haven’t read full thread but pharmacies can now prescribe antibiotics for children. My 7 year old was recently given them for a throat infection. After less than 24 hours she was fine - they work so quickly. So I wouldn’t cancel.

Try and find a prescribing pharmacist on route.

If no luck dose him up with painkillers and travel sickness meds, hopefully he'll sleep and you can sort him out in France.

Olive oil can't cure bacteria in your ear! That doesn't even make sense.

And ffs don't put anything in his ears as I keep seeing suggested. 🙄

Kill ear bacteria, I mean.

OP I wonder if Disneyland's hotel have a GP on call? My 10yo fell ill during an all-inclusive beach vacation and was seen by a GP who regularly came to the building.

I'd look for the info on their website but not call to ask, as they may tell you not to come if kid already ill.

I hope it all works out and you have a great time.

Pharmacists can now prescribe for ear infections. The rules changed a few weeks ago.

DD is a martyr to eat infections. I used to be able to tell whether it was a virus or bacterial, if it's bacterial it absolutely stinks. If not it's painkillers