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Original poster

is swimming OK if had recent ear infection?

10 replies

katierocket · 07/01/2006 10:45

my ds was diagnosed with ear infection on ~Tuesday and is on antibiotics. GP said ear drum had a tiny split in it/. DS is OK now (i.e. it\s not hurting anymore) but he's still on ABs until tuesday.

he has swimming lesson this afternoon, can't decide whether or not to take him, GP didn't mention not to but I didn't spcifically ask either.

OP posts:
Oovavu · 07/01/2006 10:47

i wouldn't personally. i had lots of ear problems as a kid (perforated eardrum which sounds similar to your ds) and i wasn't allowed to swim when it flared up. yes i know this is 30 years ago (!) but it seems to make sense not to risk anything

Original poster
katierocket · 07/01/2006 10:51

yes you're probably right. I just wondered if anyone had been told specifically by a gp not to swim.

OP posts:
marthamoo · 07/01/2006 10:57

No, I wouldn't. Based purely on when my kids have had an ear infection dh (who is a microbiologist) has said not to wash their hair in the bath so as to keep their ears dry! I'll ask him why when he gets up (on call all night last night).

tamum · 07/01/2006 11:10

We were told explicitly to avoid it when dd had ear infections, and hairwashing as marthamoo's dh said. I think it's particularly important when they have a perforation. Sorry

hercules · 07/01/2006 11:26

My nephew gets ear infections and was told by specialist not to go swimming at all and to try again when he's around 5. He's 3 at the moment.

Original poster
katierocket · 07/01/2006 11:52

thank you ladies, I'll leave it until next week.

OP posts:
Calmriver · 07/01/2006 15:30

I am a baby and toddler swimming teacher, and if his/her ear infection has cleared up completely, it's fine. You cannot catch ear infections in pool water with chlorine. Ear infections can only be aggravated if they are not treated properly.

troubledmummy · 07/01/2006 15:48

hi i was told by ent specialist to buy ear plugs for dd got some in johnlewis for £3.99 we go swimming every week and they bril for hairwashing too

hercules · 07/01/2006 15:57

Calmriver, every time my nephew went swimming he got an ear infection hence the specialist said he is not to go swimming until he is older and hopefully he'll have outgrown it.

hercules · 07/01/2006 19:58

Do you think it would be worthwhile her taking him again as surely infections are bugs that would be killed by cholorine or a bad idea?

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