How long do ear infections generally take to clear up?

[LolaLadybird]

DD (3.5) has had an earache since Friday and been really suffering since Saturday night. I spoke to OOH doc over the phone yesterday morning and then saw GP today - both said that ear infections are usually viral and will clear up on it's own, no need for antibiotics. I've been alternating between paracetomol and ibuprofen as advised but DD is still in pain - especially when another dose of medication is due - and also running a high temperature at night.

I'm just wondering how long this might last and how long to leave it before I go back to see the doc if she's not improved. (These are questions I would have asked the GP today but it was DH that took her).

Any thoughts/advice on dealing with ear infections generally would be gratefully received - this is a new one in the Ladybird household.

My DS had a number of ear infections from the age of about 1 to 2.5. He would get a very high temperature and was obviously in pain. I don't know about most ear infections being viral, but in my case I would take him to doc once his temp got very high (well over 40) and was always given an antibiotic which cleared it very quickly. I was not particularly happy to give him these antibiotics, but they clearly did the trick.

As well as pain relief you should keep an eye on temperature and bring it down if it gets very high - tepid baths, etc.

I know NHS direct sometimes gets a bad press on here but I found them very helpful.

Thanks Prudence. I know what you mean about the antibiotics - whilst I do get the whole thing about over-prescribing antibiotics and I don't want to give DD anything she doesn't need, when she's clearly in pain, I'd be happy to try anything just in case.

Had another fairly awful night but today is the first day she hasn't been complaining of pain before the next lot of painkillers are due. She's also been amusing herself with painting, sticking etc whereas the last couple of days she's only wanted to cuddle and watch TV.

Fingers crossed we might be over the worst ...

Sounds like she's over the worst

Am quite suprised they didn't prescribe ABs given the level of pain and fever she had

DD has had a lot of ear infections (never with pain though, which is quite atypical). HAs had ABs a few times but on several occasions it's cleared up on its own

I did take her to a homeopath a year or so ago (in desperation) as she was constantly getting them. Since then she's had 1 or 2 but they've cleared up without ABs

Sounds like your DD is improving.

FWIW, DD woke in the night on Sunday saying her ear hurt. She spent yesterday on alternate doses of ibuprofen and paracetamol, occasionally complaining that her ear was broken and that it hurt. She hasn't mentioned her ear today and has only had 1 dose of paracetamol. She is miserable with a cold though.

Thanks for your posts. DD has definitely improved compared to yesterday. She did slow down a bit this afternoon (more TV watching) but was still going longer without medication than yesterday and less crying.

Hopefully we'll have a better night - have dressed her a little more lightly than previous nights in case she's still prone to a raised temp. I'm predicting problems in the early hours though as the last 3 nights when she's been v poorly, she's come into bed with DH or I at about 5 am. This is not a usual occurence, strictly a practice when feeling v poorly but I think it's quickly become a habit as when I put her to bed tonight she mentioned that she would be able to come into my bed later - aagh!

I fear trouble ahead and will have to be strong even if the inevitable crying may wake up DS .

No more improvement since Tuesday - DD seems to have platuead (sp?) and whilst she doesn't have a temp any more is still needing regular painkillers so going back to see the GP later this afternoon.

I think this time I may push harder for some antibiotics as after nearly a week of earache it doesn't seem to be resolving itself.

Hopefully this is a sensible course of action and doc will not think I'm being a pushy mum ...

If she's no longer getting a temperature, it sounds as though she is fighting the infection on her own, and anitibiotics won't really help at this stage.