DS had an ear infex the other week, I did a thread about it on here if you search. Here's what happened, what I learned.
I was told that for mere ear ache or minor infex they now like to hold off on the antiBs, see if it will clear up on its own.
With DS they examined him on a Monday, couldn't find an ear infec. He had very high fever 3 nights running, was on pain killers every 2.5 hours by Weds. Suddenly, Thurs morning he was bright, cheery, no fever, and his ear started leaking like mad. I reckon eardrum had burst, I kept it/him very dry, hoped the worst was over, he'd sort himself out. No more painkillers..
A week later it didn't look any better and he was starting to tug at the left ear. So finally took him in to see Nurse.
Left ear had no infec (she said) but since he was taking so long to get right ear better they (Nurse conferred with GP) thought antiBs might be best. I wasn't sure but got them anyway, since he was obviously distressed. And his mood did lift a lot as soon as he started antiBs.
Left ear started weeping that same evening after seeing 2nd Nurse, I'm sure an infec was brewing there all day...
LESSONS LEARNT:
They can't always tell what's going on, even when they have good long look inside.
Because my child didn't have a history of ear infex and we were controlling okay with analgesics, I am glad I held off. But also feel okay about finally getting the antiBs, too.
So if I were you I'd just hold off, see how your DC goes. But that's maybe just me.