HELP! 3rd ear infection in 4 weeks - should I give antibiotics??

[Schmauskin]

My 18mth dd had 2 ear infections over xmas, 1 ending with a perforation. She was most unwell with a very high, persistent temperature and didn't eat for a week. She now has a fever again and a slightly bulging left ear - GP has given a prescription for Erythromycin, suggesting I observe dd for a couple of days and not rush to give antib's, and ihas also referred me to ENT consultant. What do I do?? Don't want her to suffer from the ear infection, as I read something on another thread about the bacteria that causes ear infections being the same one that can cause a strain of meningitus, but at the same time concerned about repeated use of anti- botics. I find the responsibility of her health so stressful, because I don't want to harm my baby with drugs, whilst trying to do my best for her.

Bump

Has she had antibiotics before? dd2, 17 months is on a 5 day course at the moment to get rid of her hacking cough, been to the docs weekly since December so they decided it was for the best.

I think they definitley have their place but I think the down side is not to overprescribe them.

I would give them in your position but I am no doctor!

Hopefully someone else will be on with advice who is.

xx

completely understand what your feeling. i am also very reluctant to use antibiotics but had to use them when my ds3 (8 months) over xmas got a secondary infection from chickenpox.
i have read similar info about ear infection and meningitis but would clarify this with a phone call to doc perhaps, mention your worry about repeated use of antibiotics? also thought i should mention friends of my dh (nurse and paramedic) didn't realise severity of repeated ear infections and their ds became deaf in one ear which has had all sorts of implications in his learning and behaviour. maybe use probiotic yoghurt to help gut flora
sorry feeding ds3 typing one handed

My ds has always had recurring ear infections.

We find the antibiotic drops clear them up much more quickly than the oral antibiotics.

Good luck!

Fairyjay - what are antibiotic drops? Never heard of them, or had them suggested as an option to oral antib's. Can you give me some more info please?

ds 18months poorly for seven days,turned out to be ear infection and temperature over 40,so we really had to give antibiotics.
He had never been poorly before.

I am not keen at all on antibiotics but if needs must then so be it.
dd is 6years old,none so far with her.

Do whats best in your circumstances

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because ear infections can be viral and in that case antibiotics wont help happymum

too many antibiotics are very very very bad for you

Followed GP's advice yesterday and put her to bed with Calpol & nurofen, however she woke at 4.00am very happy (!!!) but asking for mum, with a temp of 39.9, so gave her antib's and more pain releif immeadiately....off to doc's this morn.

The antibiotic drops are ear drops, so they essentially go straight to the problem area. We have found that they act more quickly, but it was an 'old' doctor who prescribed them the first time. after three courses of oral antibiotics hadn't got rid of the infection.

Enid
My son has had loads of courses of antibiotics - far too many for me to count.
They have not been given without thought nor as an easy option, but simply as the best solution to his problems over the years.
I don't think any caring parent would give them if they didn't think they were the best option.

but you say yourself that three courses of oral antibiotics made no difference

I don't want a row, just that I try and avoid them whenever I can. I am lucky as my GP doesn't prescribe them unless he really feels they may help.

dd2 did have an ear infection and high temp and was taken to casualty - the hospital prescribed antibiotics and I gave them then.

The most common antibiotic drop is gentamicin, I didn't think it was suitable for children.

Viral ear infections are more likely to coccur in adults than children. So it is best to give the antibiotics.

I do worry about the repeated use of antibiotics myself, however the likely hood of a bacteria building up resistance to an antibiotic is greatly reduced if you take the dose as prescribed and complete the course. It doesn't take long for the immune system to recover afterwards.

If you are having reccurrring probs like this Referral to ENT will check for grommits or other underlying probs

Topically I have heard of a v dilute solution of olive oil and tee tree (which has natural antibacterial propeties) being used for ear infections although I would ask an aromatherapist about an appropriate strength for a wee one.
My DH had similar probs as achild and his mother was reluctant to use antibiotics, he is (selectivly!) deaf in one ear. I think when it comes to repeated infections it is better to be on the safe side.

HTH

Sorry ment to say, usually best to give the antibiotics if you gp has prescribed theym, don't want to start a war!!!

Enid
You're right, on as my ds got older the oral antibiotics were not so effective, but he had many courses as a smaller child which solved the problem. The alternative was to risk a permanent reduction in hearing. Incidentally, he had grommets and t tubes on four different occasions.

He also had antibiotics following different types of surgery, to ensure that no infection was able to get hold.

I agree completely that antibiotics shouldn't be given lightly, but by the same token, sometimes as parents we need to go with the lesser of two evils - and that's a judgement you make at the time.

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she's had 3 courses - 1 of amoxycillin, 1 of amoxyclav, and as of 4.00am this morning, she's on Erythromycin. Different GP this morning said her ear is very red inside witha streak of blood across it's surface and that she belives in this case it's right to use the antib's. Will keep up the dosing ( what an arsenal of drugs us mummys have to have) and wait for my appt with consultant to come through. Has anyone used complimentary therapies for inner ear infections with any success?

that's 3 courses in 4&1/2 weeks. Fairyjay - at what point did they decided to operate on your ds?

Schmauskin my dd had several nasty ear infections and we were referred to ENT. The consultant suggested cranial oseopathy as he had seen good results - we tried it and it has worked for us - dd now 3 and was signed off by ENT almost a year ago. The consultant also told us that many ABs are not effective for ear infections - he gave us the name of one which we had to ask for specifically if we saw the Gp - am at work now but if I can dig it out I'll post it here.

puddle - that's v. interesting. Are you in london area and if so who did you go to for Cranial work please? Plus would really appreciate the name of that antib' thank you,

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Schmauskin - sorry am in Brighton! I have used to Children's Osteopathy Centre in London when we lived there for ds - nearly six years ago now, they were in Harley Street but now at
OCC London
15a Woodbridge Street
London
EC1R 0ND
Tel: 020 7490 5510

They were fantastic - they are a charity so we had to donate rather than pay.

If I can find that Ab at home I'll post it later.
Hope your little one is feeling better soon.

thanks so much puddle will try the cranial route for sure - HappyMumof2, she is on a mix of SMA progress and cows milk, and you're the 3rd person to suggest I reduce her dairy intake, or at least substitute goats milk instead of cows. Will try, but it's quite difficult as I 'create' most of her food and often make milky/cheesy sauces, or use youghurt.... but if it stops her suffering all this pain and illness!!

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