Recurrent Ear Infection

[BabeRuthless]

Ds (6) is in the throes of his 3rd ear infection in just under a year. The first time they gave us antibiotics and it was horrendous as ds (who has asd) hated the taste and was sick nearly every time he took it. The second time our gp said they no longer prescribed them as it clears itself up in a few days. I'm fine with the no antibiotics & I understand the thinking behind it but it feels like we're just waiting for his ear infection to come back. Is there anything that can be done long term? Is there any point taking him to the doctors tomorrow if they aren't going to prescribe anything?

Also does 3 ear infections in 10 months seem excessive? It's always the same ear too.

Had various experiences re: ear infections with my DC...

First DC got recurrent ear infections, tried antibiotics etc BUT they stopped as soon as I took her off full fat cow's milk as her main drink (she'd just turned 1) and kept her on formula.

Third DC had a really bad infection that required an operation and a couple of days in hospital and had grommets fitted. 3 months later another infection, Amoxicillin didn't clear it up but they took a swab and then was prescribed different abs that seemed to work. In addition to the abs he was given drops (not antibiotics) and the second lot of drops made a massive difference and seemed to do the job before the second lot of antibiotics.

3 ear infections in 10 months sounds v. much like DC1 who tried dif. antibiotics to clear up the infection but then it seemed to come back, so perhaps not properly cleared up?
If your Doc doesn't want to prescribe abs then ask about drops, we had some acetic acid (vinegar) ones for a while.

Hi YJ, thanks for replying. Drops sound like a good idea as he's extremely resistant to any new tastes. Think I'll take him to doc tomorrow & mention it.

Just because they didn't prescribe last time doesn't mean they won't prescribe again. Ask for a different flavour/colour one this time as well. Ds (age 5) hated amoxycillin (banana medicine) because he threw up one time when he had it, so as soon as he sees it he starts retching.

I found this time with antibiotics, if I put a chocolate drop in his mouth immediately, it did seem to help. This is the first time we've had success really with antibiotics and him not making a fuss.

3 ear infections in 10 months doesn't seem that much to me, but ds's was roughly every 2 weeks from about 3 months to 20 months (then grommets were put it) Then when the grommets fell out he had 8 ear drum perforations in 3 months until the next set of grommets were in. In the last 2 weeks both his ear drums have perforated again, so it may well be grommets again shortly.

I think some places have a rule of minimum 8 infections in a year for referal to ENT, so I don't think it's much.

ENT told us never to accept oral antibiotics for ear infection, only drops,sounds like an infection that hasn't clearer,i'd go back and ask for drops, only other things you can do are boost his immunity, probiotics are a must if he's have oral antibiotics, hope it clears soon x

The Amoxicyllin (sp?) was horrendous for ds. I honestly think it caused him more distress than the ear infection. He used to gag the second we got the bottle out. I will definitely push for ear drops. The poor lad has been through the ringer with it this weekend.