3 courses of antibiotics in 3 weeks

[WelshMoth]

DD is 5 and has had a ear infection in one, then both ears for just over 3 weeks.

Amoxicillin was ineffective so GP tried erythromycin. That didn't do the trick, so a stronger dose of amoxicillin was given.

We have stuck to the regime, given calpol and neurofen. The very last dose was this morning.

She's up now with earache, poor mite, so back to GP in the morning.

Emoticon in wrong place there.

What will they do for her? A 4th dose? That can't be right, surely?

I've dosed her up with neurofen and she seems to be settling. Poor little thjng.

It may be that she has a antibiotic resistant infection. Take her back, ds has had an erythromycin resistant one which was only picked up because his ear drum had perforated, so they'd taken a swab. Unfortunatetly not quick enough to stop the other one perforating, but he needs antibiotics quickly to stop that.

He did have one ear infection that needed a long course of antibiotics-it kept returning until she had a 14 day course.

We are in a similar position. He has had an ear infection for 6 weeks. Four courses of antibiotics. Three different types. All seemed to be working but as soon as each course was stopped the infection came back in full force. The last course finished a few days ago and he has discharge pouring out of his ears again (has grommets). He has not had a day without needing pain relief since it started.We are now awaiting an ENT appointment. I hope the GP can help her.

ds (4) had an antibotic resistant strain - 2 courses of antibiotics from GP and then an ENT referral to emergency clinic who cleaned out discharge on day ward and prescribed drops which cleared it up straight away - we were sent away and told never to accept oral antibiotics for an ear infection and a advised to follow a regime of not giving calpol to reduce a temperature and to put him on a reduced/low sugar diet, allow temperature to run to allow the body to fight off infection naturally - which we tried. We had one infection after that and none in the last 6 months (he has second set of grommets at the moment) - just another approach if you get reoccuring infections.

Definitely go back to GP - I thought there were NICE guidelines on how many sets of antibiotics you could give... I can't google it at moment but might be worth a check

Ah google worked

cks.nice.org.uk/otitis-media-acute#!scenariorecommendation:6

Hope that link works at the bottom it says
"If symptoms persist despite two courses of antibiotics, reassess (as above) and seek specialist ear, nose, and throat (ENT) advice. Tympanocentesis may be required to identify antibiotic-resistant bacteria and guide further treatment."

Your DD has both types of antibiotics recommended in guidelines - I'd ask for referral for ENT advice now

Thanks everyone.

Incywincy, that's fantastic info and a fantastic link. Am taking her first thing to GP.

Thank you.

The only AB that works for DS2 is Augmentin/Co-Amoxyclav when he has Ear Infections...and he has them very frequently.

I just ask for them now as were having 2/3 lots each time and it still wasn't going.

hi. I hope your son feels better soon. poor lad. don have any advice but would like to suggest that maybe you could keep him away from swimming until his earaches disappears, because i personally think that if water goes in his ears, this may prolong the healing process. when he washes his hair, i would use a cotton wool to prevent water entering his ear. not sure if that helps.

My dd's ent consultant said there was no reason to stop swimming despite dd having multiple ear infections. She had augmetin for an ear infection, low dose of amoxicilin when no ear infection, until grommits were fitted age three. Just over a year of antibiotics in total Grommits would have been fitted earlier, but she had no hearing loss.
Hope it all gets better soon.