To GP or not to GP?

[Canttakeanymore88]

A week ago exactly my 4 year old was sent home from school for puking once. He didn’t puke at all after that and went back to school 48 hours later.

Then, 3 days ago he develops what we think is an ear infection. Waking at midnight for hours crying with ear pain and only Nurofen helps. He appears to have little hearing in the affected ear, but last night (night 3) he didn’t wake with any ear pain so we figured it was improving.

Up in to the kitchen this morning and he’s puked clear liquid everywhere. He refused food yesterday, we figured due to the ear, but wasn’t expecting this. I’ve read can be normal with this but it’s all a bit much, no? He’s had a temp on and off too

Went to the pharmacist yesterday who couldn’t help with the ear as there’s wax build up preventing them from seeing inside properly.

So today I can either drag him to see a paramedic at the GP or ride it out. No docs available. We saw the same paramedic last year who again couldn’t see in the ear and gave us antibiotics for if it didn’t clear up. We never ended up using them.

Thoughts? Does it sound pretty standard or something else at play what warrants the GP?

I'd give him the antibiotics?

Definitely get it seen to, ear infections can be really nasty and lead to a burst ear drum, which would be very painful for him. Not to scare you, but in some cases can also lead to sepsis. I'd get it seen to quickly so it's all taken care of before Christmas.

Ok. NHS advise is to see a GP if it’s not clearing up after 3 days, which it seems to be, hence my confusion.

If you put a few drops of olive oil in his ears each day for a few days it will help to clear the wax so the doctor can see the eardrum properly. I am guessing it will be affecting his hearing regardless so probably sensible even if he recovers in the meantime.

GP. If the paramedic isn’t able to treat they will get a GP to see him.

Most ear infections are viral, antibiotics are not recommended unless the eardrum ruptures. If the wax is impacted it can cause pain and dull the hearing, I would treat it for a few days with a couple of drops of olive oil (not kitchen oil, oil from the chemist), to see if it clears.

If you want the wax gone quickly you could look for independent audiologists near you who could microsuction the ear clear and then they would be able to look and see what's happening and advise you accordingly. Can be difficult to find someone who will see a child for wax removal though, all the high street audiologists are over 18s only so you'd have to look for a small independent or private hospital.

Sounds like he needs antibiotics. Does he have a fever? I wouldnt just dismiss it as viral and leave it.