DD's eardrum ruptured a week ago today, after 2 days of earache/high temp/no appetite (which was preceded by another 2 days of just high temp/no appetite). Since the eardrum ruptured most of her daytime pain has gone, although she still finds laying down very painful, so night time is still rather fraught. Her ear intermittently drips a sort of a thin yellowy/green sticky snot.
We've seen a nurse (when it first ruptured) and spoken to another two nurses by phone, all who have reassured us that it's a perfectly normal viral ear infection and will clear by itself without antibiotics. Which I am very happy about.
However, one thing troubles me: each nurse has given me an entirely different prognosis. Nurse 1 (pre-rupture) said to wait it out but call back and get an emergency appointment "if there's something coming out of it" as that would require antibiotics. Nurse 2 (post rupture) said nurse 1 was mistaken, and that it would heal naturally within a week. Nurse 3 (today, 1 week later) said nurse 2 was mistaken, and it would heal naturally in its own time, and to make an appointment when it had stopped leaking, so that they could check it was healing properly. Said it was pointless to come in before then as they cannot see the eardrum.
If I'd spoken to nurse 3 first, I wouldn't be worried, especially since she has slowly regained her appetite and her temperature is almost back to normal. However, I have mild hearing loss as a result of repeated childhood infections, so the inconsistency worries me more than it usually would!
DD is 5, btw, and has had very mild hearing loss since Christmas caused by suspected glue ear. I would think that's probably why her viral infection set up home in her ear!
Please all come and tell me how it will get better soon, and I'm worrying unnecessarily!