dd has painful ear - do they give antibiotics now for ear infections?

[chloesmumtoo]

kept her off school today but put off dragging her to the doctors. Thought the rest at home would do her more good. Do they give anything for ear infections now? she has had them in the past but I vaguely thought she hasnt been given antibiotics just painkiller. Not sure,cant remember. Trouble is I have a funny feeling she will get worse tonight and will have to go tomorrow anyway.

My ds1 is 7 and my ds2 is 4. They used to give antibiotics for ear infections for ds1, but the protocols had changed by the time ds2 had come along.

I was cross, as I only go to the docs very occasionally, but actually found that ds2 shook off the infections with lots of neurofen and tlc.

Hope your little one feels better soon.

Thanks, will keep her on the painkillers and see how it goes!

Hi Chloesmumtoo, just to let you know I have just been to my Doctors as my ds has an ear infection too and they have given him a five day course of antibiotics to clear it up

my ds1 is 3 and has had antibiotics for ear infections. he gets them on a regular basis.

I think the NHS/Department of Health are trying to stop doctors giving out antiobiotics for ear infections as (apparently) there is new evidence/no proof that the antibiotics are clearing these infections (my GP told me this earlier this year). He also added that he will always prescribe antibiotics for children with ear infections though as he has had young children and can empathise with parents, etc, etc..

TBH I think it will be at the GPs discretion but you could always try and "demand" antibiotics, IYKWIM!

We took ds (aged 6) to the doctors last night, as he woke up with very painful ear, and Calpol didn't sort it - he was in agony poor little chap. We then gave him Nurofen which did help, but Dr gave us antibiotics as well. I didn't hesitate to accept them, as ds was in so much pain with the ear, I wanted to make as sure as possible the infection went asap.

DD and I have both had antibiotics for ear infections. Have to say that dd was much more prone - had one awful year of maybe 4 or 5 infections in a year. That is partly why I was so pleased that the prevenar vacc was added to the infant jabs, as it can reduce risk of ear infections, and ds, now 2, has only had one, that didn;'t require antibiotics.
I know that some people prefer to avoid abs for ear infections (who wouldn't rather not have to give them). But personally, I think that if there is an infection that would suggest abs would help, it is better to knock it on the head asap. I've had ear infections and they can be pretty horrendous, pain wise.

Many thanks everyone. See what happens tonight! I bet anything I will be down the doctors tomorrow.