recurrent tonsillitis and ear infections - help!

[gladbag]

Ds (4.3) is on the whole a healthy chap. Eats well, sleeps well, has loads of energy etc. He's only ever had 3 trips to the GP in all his 4 years, but it's all gone wrong recently.

In March he developed a high temp which didn't want to shift. I took him to the doctor who diagnosed a perforated eardrum because of a nasty infection and tonsillitis (cue me feeling like a cr*p mum for not taking him sooner ) and he was given a dose of antibiotics. Two weeks later the temp started again - different ear this time, but same problems. More anti-biotics. Now this morning I've taken him back as his temperature is up again, and he still has tonsillitis and another ear infection. GP said no more anti-biotics as they haven't worked and so it's probably viral, and to just dose him up with paracetamol and ibuprofen and come back in a week.....

Is this just one of those things....? I'm feeling really guilty that he can't seem to get rid of this lurgy. He never complains of feeling ill, not even during the perforated ear drum incident, which must of hurt, so it's difficult to guage how he is really feeling.

Is there anything I can do to boost his immune system, apart from the normal eat well, rest lots etc?

Any advice or sympathy welcome.

You could use some of natures antibiotics in the form of garlic and honey. Manuka honey is exceptionally good and can be bought in the supermarket (I have seen it in Tesco). None of my children like honey (can't be mine so) but I always take a spoon if I have a cold or sore throat.

Does he like garlic bread? Mix a clove of garlic with some butter, spread it on the bread and toast it.

If you are unhappy go back to your GP and trust your own instinct.

frankly i would insist on a referral to ENT - we had months of GPs telling us that we were overreacting/fusspot parents and when we saw the ENT chappie he thought it was certainly time for action (put grommets in)

Thank you both.

DettaJnr - he likes honey and garlic bread, so will try both!

Moominsmummy - I hadn't even thought about that. I suppose because this is all fairly recent (well, just in the last couple of months) I didn't realise anything as drastic would be called for, but time, I suppose will tell. I had dreadful recurring ear infections as a child, and eventually had grommets in and my adenoids out. I had thought ds, having reached the grand age of 4 with no problems, had bypassed that particular family problem, but maybe not.

I will see how he is over the next few days and return to the GP if I'm worried.

DD2 had an ear infection that wouldn't shift despite multiple AB - doc swabbed it and we then got a very specific AB and within a few days bouncing!

That's interesting Kath - if we end up back at the GP next week will ask about that. Thank you.