15 month DS and ear infections

[HeyJupiter]

My 15 month DS has been struggling with his ears now for 5 weeks and I’m looking for some reassurance I guess. I struggle with health anxiety so appreciate my worries may be an overreaction.

5 weeks ago he had a terrible fever, had pus coming out of both ears and was started on amoxicillin. It appeared to clear up but 10 days later he seemed to contract a virus (cough, runny nose etc) and a week later still the pus returned from both ears. Was started again on amoxicillin (which actually seemed to be working) and a swab taken. A few days later the swab indicated that he needed flucloxicillin and consequently was swapped onto that. He’s been on flucloxicillin for 5 days and has woken up with discharge from both eyes and one of his ears. Have called 111 for advice and waiting on a phone call.

Can anyone shed any light to what’s going on and why this infection isn’t been shifted? He has been constantly ill with virus’ (not bacterial infections) since he started nursery last September. As in back to back illness (including roseola, hand foot and mouth and relentless colds.) The lymph nodes on his neck have been up for the last 4 weeks and he always seems to have a low level temperature. I’m getting nervous he may have some underlying issues with his immunity but am well aware that could just be my health anxiety talking. Dr Google says lots of horrifying things obviously.

Thanks :)

My DS was exactly the same when he started nursery- for us it was bacterial tonsillitis that kept coming back for the best part of 5 months. Every time he got a virus, his immune system dipped and the tonsillitis flared back up. We were in and out of hospital and on and off the paeds ward for months as he was so unwell.

This winter we’re having recurrent chest infections.... seems like there’s a fashion for every flu season.

Keep going back to your GP. Keep insisting on tests to ensure he’s getting the right antibiotics- and maybe ask whether he needs a long course to kick the underlying infection. In the end we saw a private ENT (one of the best in the country- not that I planned it that way- he just happened to be local) as the GP was so unconcerned (Im
a single parent and was about to lose my job due to absence to look after DS) - who referred directly to a paediatrician on the nhs to check for underlying autoimmune issues (none) and then first step was to be long course of ABs- if still an issue, then tonsillectomy as soon as he was old enough.

As it happened, one last go with a new AB for a week, combined with the Christmas break giving him chance to fully recover kicked that cycle of infection- but it was hard going and you have my sympathy.

We now have asthma- which is a story in itself

Ds had ear infections constantly from 10 weeks until 20 months when grommets went in.

But all 3 of mine (even dd1 who is never ill) went through a stage of back to back infections at around that age, so I suspect it's probably one of those things. When the weather warms up you should see an improvement, and then you may find next winter they're fine.

Thank you so much for your replies. So awful for your children but sort of reassuring that it’s quite typical. We’re back on the amoxicillin as found to be carrying the haemophilus influenzae bacteria which also accounts for his conjunctivitis. He’s been on it 48 hours and still has pus coming out of his ears. Just hope it shifts it this time.