if u think your nearly 2yo has an ear intection - is antibiotics the only way forward?

[BrandyButterGalore]

apols for brusquness and typing, said child on lap - i ask coz i prefer not to pump full of antibots at everey sniffle, but dont want him to huret unnecessarily eithere...

NO

Our GP will not prescribe ABs for ear infection until day 5

Use paracetamol/ibuprofen for pain.

ABs won't directly releave pain anyway and research says that ABs will ony cut 1-2 days off an infection in most cases as the body can deal with it w/o ABs in most cases/

no it's usually a viral thing that causes ear infection.

I would take to the dr if it lasts more than a few days.

Warmth helps my ds when he gets them ,as well as nurofen.

Hope they're better soon.

no, we always used hot cloth and the homeopathic remedy Pulsatilla 30
There was an article, several years ago, about how antibiotics did little good and kids who had them got more repeat ear infections.

Oh and decongestants can help (vicks, karvol etc.) as it may be a blocked eustation tube which has caused it. Unblocking it will allow it to drain down nose/throat.

oh ok.
will calpol and see how we go.
think may have been going on several days anyway, but just noticed tons of yellow ick comimg out of ear.

oh!

great, thank you. will do calprofen, karvol and warmth.
ta.

If it is yellow ick coming out copiously he is prob more comfortable now. The eardrum has probably burst which will have released the pressure and eased the pain.

I panicked when DD3 had this - Dr was unconcerned and sent us off with paracetamol/ibuprofen/karvol advice.

She has actually had it twice first time it was very green so she did get ABs.

An ear infection will get better by itself at the most 24 hours quicker without antibiotics than with them. Calpol, pulsatilla, warmth, cuddles, Disney - works every time. Save the antibiotics for really serious stuff.

yes, ds1 had repeated ear infections and they each burst several times... i dont think this one is burst - yet. the goo is too thick.
he is distractable so thats good. hes had ibuprofen too.

thanks people for the input. will be more certain in my refusal of antibots (unless he gets signig=ficantly owrse)