Earache virgin - what do I do?

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Poor DS has earache. He's 3.5 and he's been fiddling with it all afternoon. Had Calpol at around 2 and I've just given him Nurofen now because he's wailing (and he's usually mega stoic when ill). Think it's follow on to the horrible bug and cough he's been trying to shake off for 2 weeks now. Got him cosied up on the sofa with the sore ear on a hot water bottle.

I know the GPs don't do anything because these things are usually viral, aren't they, but what else can I do?

Thought he was better cos he ate dinner but now says he's freezing cold and very tearful. DP's dosing him with Calpol again but he doesn't feel got. Is this usual with far things?

got and far = hot and ear. Phone, sorry!

you dont know its viral until its examined sorry, You need to get it checked out
tbh from what you say it s systemic and there is a high possibility he will be prescribed antibiotics.

Its up to you, but if he is now feeling very cold I would be tempted to ring out of hours gp as any possible infection close to the brain needs checking out.

If you decide to hold fire overnight then emergency appointment or walk in centre tomorrow am.

In the meantime keep giving regular calpol. hth

i think if he has been ill for 2 weeks and now got earache i would take him to the gp tomorrow, i dont know if you can do more than the calpol/nurofen/hot water bottle, ive never had any probs getting antibiotics for ear infections/earache for both my dc

I would give maximum calpol and nurofen (make a schedule for day and night and try to spread it out evenly, so pain stays controlled). Also warm drink (not milk if he has cold) but chamomile tea or water or water and honey might help and lots of TLC, might be a long night for you both (reading stories, distracting, maybe audio cd if you have one). Earache can be EXTREMELY PAINFUL, so I would not underestimate and definitely see GP tomorrow. Also, behind the ear is a bone called the mastoid, if you press on it and the child is in agony then go straight away to A&E as it can mean that ear infection has started to spread to brain, this is very rare by the way but worth to be aware of as you can check easily yourself. Hope he will get better soon.

I would see the GP tomorrow just for a look. They tend to sit on ears for 3 days and then give antibiotics. They are usually viral, just a lot of mucous in a confined space, but its impossible to say for sure unless the eardrum bursts and gunk comes out for swabbing. If you dont get any antibiotics tomorrow take him back after 3 days a) because a bacterial infection may have set in, b) 3 days is long enough for a little one to suffer when antibiotics may help.

Bloody hell, the brain? now I'm worried! He went to sleep ok after calpol and DP said he's no longer complaining of being cold. He saw the GP about ten days ago and he said to ride it out, although the ear thing only started today and he's been a lot brighter the last few days. We've got tons of snow of course so I'm stressing about him getting worse ... I'll keep checking him and ring NHS if things change. Thanks.

I love MN for stuff like this. I know everyone moans about health threads when we should phone out of hours, but getting reassurance/advice/information from other mums who've been through it is fab. Despite having 2 kids and no longer being a newbie, DS is still my PFB and these firsts are stressful!

just keep checking him overnight if he gets hot dose him with calpol if he's due.
Don't fret too much, most kids dont end up with it going to the brain, but definitely go to the gp (as you are)

(btw its the "my dc cant breathe, is blue" threads that wind me up. Not ears )

I work for NHS direct so you can have my advice for free. As everyone says its monitoring overnight, regular pain relief, warmth on the ear and fluids. Dont worry about the brain thing its certainly not a general concern with ears. Any uncontrollable pain/fever/confusion would need immediate help/advice.

Thanks :)