To take DS13 back to GP with a foul smelling discharge from ear?

[JimJimJim]

DS13 was given antibiotics at Christmas (wasn't seen by GP, was a telephone consultation) when presenting with symptoms of possible ear infection (painful ear, snot like discharge from ear), sinus pain and cough. He was seen after 4 days as the ear wasn't much better. Dr examined him at that point and said because of the discharge she couldn't see the ear drum but it was possible the ear drum had burst, causing all the discharge, but that it would likely resolve itself and to go back in 6 weeks if his hearing was affected at that point.

The discharge is reducing, but it absolutely stinks! It is still slightly snot like, less stringy now but still a slight yellow in colour. He still has a runny nose and cough, which we have all had. No fever, seems ok in himself. He had a covid jab today but feeling fine after that so far. He is slightly deaf and we have to shout to get him to hear us!

Do I just leave this to run its course or go back for them to have another look at the ear given this horrible smell?

Anyone?

Doesn't sound right, I'd take them back to the Dr

Yes, go back

Trust your instincts. I'd go back

Take him back to the doctor urgently or he could have permanent loss of hearing.

I would call for GP appt in the morning and also call into a chemist.

Basically you have to tell the GP what you want - say you are concerned about permanent hearing damage.

Definitely go back. Could become serious. My friend required a mastoidectomy with similar symptoms. It's very rare but discharge from the ear is not normal.

Go back. With a ruptured drum the discharge usually goes in a couple of days, DDs went last week.

Thanks that’s helpful to know. His has been going on since Christmas Eve if not before - finished his antibiotics after 5 days.

I wonder if it needs swabbing to see why the antibiotics may not have worked.

You need to get this sorted urgently. Good luck.

I am very prone to ear infections and have previously needed a specific antibiotic (rather than the one I was prescribed).

It was only when the swab came back that the doctor switched my antibiotics - I would go back and ask for a swab to be taken at the very least.

The GP that we saw as follow up said even when they did swab they didn’t often pick much up and these issues were often viral, but the smell doesn’t seem right at all! I’ll call in the morning. Slightly worried that any issues of worsening (eg fever) might be confused with possible covid vax side effects

My husband had this and was sent to be seen urgently by ENT at the hospital - ear infections can be serious.

There really isn't any point in going to a pharmacist. They aren't able to check in the ears as don't have the instruments and can't prescribe him antibiotics anyway. Drops for ears sold by chemists are unusually related to the build up of wax or minor infections of the outer ear, this is not that! Make an appointment and see your gp, they might well just do a telephone consultation and prescribe more antibiotics but I would push to have him seen and his ear checked.

GP first thing. The smell indicates a bacterial infection that's not cleared with antibiotics. If it's smelly I've sure they will pick it up with a swab and culture.

Thanks. I’ll ring at 8am. Last time it took over 200 attempts to get through! (Phone stops counting after 200)

Keep saying that his hearing is impaired and he needs to see the doctor in person.

I’d get him to a doctor and make sure they examine his ear. My DD had similar and ultimately needed surgery - after many courses of anti-biotics she was found to have retracted ear drum.

I would go back and mention cholesteatoma and concern over permanent hearing loss

My DH had something similar, was given numerous antibiotics prior to swabbing it - the swab culture identified that he needed metronidazole. I'd take him back and ask for it to be swabbed.

This

Mine had this it went on for ages
but due to his profound ASD and needing a double appointment the gp kept prescribing over the phone
after pushing and pushing it turned out he had a cholesteatoma and it had destroyed his ear bones and ear drum
my child is non verbal so could not verbalise his hearing loss.

Snap!

He has had issues before - 2 sets of grommets and a few times when he has needed ciprofloxacin ear drops to treat gunky ears, but even then I don’t remember them smelling like this. He also has ASD so there is a possibility I’m not being told about all symptoms as he can’t accurately describe what’s going on.