Ear infections

[Tgger]

Has anyone got any tips on ear infections in children? Am a bit frustrated as DS had an ear infection following a virus about 3 weeks ago. Was treated with antibiotics. He seemed to recover although had patches of seeming pale and with less energy than normal. Now we have just got back from a trip to Sweden, involving flights- which he seemed to cope with fine, and was running around with a mad man with his cousins. Only got back yesterday, long day travellling etc etc but again he seemed to cope fine, only to go to school today and get sent home at lunchtime with a hurting ear. Just got him in bed with hurting ear and high temperature. I think we will be back at the docs tomorrow with another ear infection. I know flights aren't great for kids, germs etc, but wonder if another set of antibiotics is the best bet or not? Just last time we didn't do antibiotics until about day 7 of being ill (had 2 days off school, seemed to recover, went back then was ill again 4 days later) and so the illness was rather prolonged I think by not going straight after he moaned. Am happy to have more antibiotics if it susses it properly, but am not sure it did- he had similar problems when he was 3 (2 years ago) and I think after 2 courses of antibiotics I refused the third (raised eyebrow from doc) and he got over it himself- wasn't that poorly by then.

Sorry for long post. Any replies from doctors or those experienced appreciated!

Depends on the ear infection. Some don't need antibiotics to recover. Ds otoh will have his ear drum perforate if he doesn't get started on antibiotics early on in the infection.
If he's got a temperature, I'd certainly want the doctor to look at him. You can ask the doctor whether antibiotics are necessary as they're generally loath to give them out if they can avoid them.

Thanks. I can see it's not easy to tell immediately. Went to docs who prescribed anitbiotics but said not to get them until tomorrow or the day after as ear may clear up by itself and as you say antibiotics best avoided really.

Over 90% of ear infections in children are caused by viruses and prior to 2004 the nice advice was not to give antibiotics. The Advice changed in July 2004 after what happened to my baby.

She had an ear infection in the April which the GP correctly advised no antibiotics, in the May she developed a swelling behind her right ear diagnosed as enlarged lymph node see in 2 weeks. 5 days later the lump was larger and painful I revisited the surgery saw the GP registrar who took advice from the previous GP who said antibiotics. Fortunately the GP registrar had a gut feeling and ignored his colleague and sent us to Paeds assesment unit.
It was a mastoid abscess the first reported in a baby under 12 months in 25 years an amazing surgeon saved her life, but as a result of his influence on NICE this is why GPs are encouraged to give antibiotics.
Yes most ear infections clear without antibiotics. However, some do not and can have life threatening consequences. I would discuss your concerns with your GP. DD went on to require around 7 course of antibiotics per year for infections until 4 years old when due the further development of her skull and ears she grew out of the problem.

Lizcat, I didn't know that about ear infections being viral. My eldest dd got repeated ear infections each time after being in a swimming pool. Water-borne virus? More likely to be bacterial?

People don't realise the potential complications of ear infections (I had never heard of mastoid absesses). Sensorineural hearing loss is one. I already have one hearing impaired daughter and would therefore never want to risk any further ear problems - so yes to antibiotics.

Ah, thanks for the other side- can see ear infections for some are particularly serious. Lizcat, glad your daughter recovered. Yes, the doctor said 9 out of 10 ear infections are viral.

He's at home still today, still got bad earache -treating with painkillers- but not really poorly. Am holding out on the anitibiotics for the moment, but will probably get tomorrow or the next day if no better. Found this link www.patient.co.uk/health/Ear-Infection-%28Otitis-Media%29.htm. It's hard being a parent and knowing what to do for best!

He's just turned 5 and generallly in robust health so not as vulnerable as some babies.

Oh yes, and it is the opposite ear from last time, so not a reoocurence of previous infection!

We were incredibly lucky first for the GP registrar who just knew something was not right and secondly for the amazing surgeon who saved not only her life, but 80% of her hearing.

Hello. Alas, Day 4 of infection and DS raging temperature and a lot of pain so anitibiotics got and given. Temp and pain controlled by painkillers and hope the antibiotics will do their stuff for him soon.

Nothing on your scale Lizcat, but annoying and horrible for DS. And think he'll miss bonfire night. BOOOOOOOOO!

If you do take him to bonfire night then try and get him to wear ear defenders. Ds gets in huge pain from noise when he's got an infection. GP did explain why, and I think it's a general thing.

Cheers. Decided not to go. Too poorly I think, even if seems better tomorrow was bad today needs to recover and go to bed then!

Hello was just about to start a thread on this subject! Not sure what to do with my dd, she had a bad ear infection over half term, had antibiotics and was needing a lot of painkillers but ever since then she has on and off complained her ear is still sore. Not sure whether its something that just needs to run its course or if I need to take her back to the g.p.

She has gromits and have made the decision to stop her swimming lessons as no matter how I try and keep the water out of her ears she is still getting a lot of infections (this is her 4th this year )

I was told if they've grommets than you need to get the ears checked if they hurt as it can rapidly become worse. I'd get them looked at.