1st ear infection - a question about antibiotics

JillAly · March 2011

Ear infections are so rough! My dd has a fever, was puking, pulling her ear and couldn't sleep at all last night (which means dh and I didn't sleep either). She couldn't lie down at all - she would just scream.

The doctor said something weird to me though- he said not to start the antibiotics for a day or two because it could make her more allergic or more immune to antibiotics in the future if we gave it to her too early. He said the 3rd to 4th day of an ear infection is the best to start. I never heard anything like that before - he isn't our regular pedi - it's a Sunday so we went to a clinic and will call my pedi tomorrow. I just can't imagine not giving my child in pain the antibiotic now. Anyone ever hear this about antibiotics?

AprilCachet · March 2011

Alex has been on an antibiotic a few times and I have never been told this.

lysa3950 · March 2011

Our ped won't start antibiotics right away either. They say many ear infections go away on there own. We were told to use olive oil drops and tylenol and if it got worse to call.

This is from the AAP website:
The "observation option" for AOM refers to deferring antibacterialtreatment of selected children for 48 to 72 hours and limitingmanagement to symptomatic relief. The decision to observe ortreat is based on the child's age, diagnostic certainty, andillness severity. To observe a child without initial antibacterialtherapy, it is important that the parent/caregiver has a readymeans of communicating with the clinician.

mrsjengle · March 2011

My DD has had a billion ear infection. I would give the meds. This sounds like some new age way of being less antibiotic dependent, which is fine, as long as your kid isn't completely miserable in the process!

isacdimi10 · March 2011

I've heard of this but my Pedi doesn't subscribe.

She actually helped me give DD the first dose of her meds because DH was gone the day she was diagnosed with her ear infection.

I would say give it to her. She is clearly uncomfortable and in pain and remember the Dr doesn't have to sit up at night wondering when it's going to end.

JillAly · March 2011

We decided to give it to her. She was so miserable and it was so hard watching her in pain when we had meds that would help her. Within 1/2 hour of giving her the antibiotics and Motrin, her fever is gone and she stopped crying. I feel like I'm getting my baby back again. It amazes me how fast the drugs work.

Thanks everyone- I'm not a fan of overmedicating kids but in this case, I feel like I had to give her the meds.

TheBuddha · March 2011

JillAly:

I'm not a fan of overmedicating kids but in this case, I feel like I had to give her the meds.

In the case of your baby having an infection, I don't believe you can "overmedicate" if you are giving her the medicine that will cure the infection. Z had an ear infection and we were instructed to start the antibiotics right away. Even though our appointment was late morning, the doc said to get in both of the doses that day. I think you made the right choice

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1st ear infection - a question about antibiotics

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