Should I give my 8 month old daughter a third round of antibiotics for an ear infection that has lasted for 2 months? This is the second time she's been prescribed amoxicillin.
Optional Information: Person's Gender: Female Person's Age: 8 months Already Tried: 1 round of amoxicillin, another round of antibiotics, a steroid, cough medicine, decongestant, tylenol, ibuprofen and maybe more for a cold she had two months ago. The ear infection that accompanied the cold never went away, but the rest of the symptoms are gone. Teething isn't helping either. I'm in the Air Force and am also wondering if this is a standard answer to a common problem (ex. military doctors like to prescribe ibuprofen for all aches and pains for adults)
Hello, I'm sorry your daughter has been sick. It's typical for older infants and toddlers to have 10-12 viral illnesses a year. Most ear infections are caused by viruses and therefore will not improve faster on an antibiotic. "Colds" are viral in all cases and it's very common for her pediatrician to se fluid in the middle ear when she has a cold. I'd want to k now your daughter's actual symptoms in detail, but I would NOT TREA with another round of antibiotics unless an ENT specialist has seen scarring or there is concern about her hearing / language development. You are likely dealing with multiple viral illnesses that will not respond to an antibiotic.
Please post back when you're online with more questions if you have any, Best,
Sorry: "I would Not Treat " ...
The doctor I saw today said that I should see her again in 2-3 weeks for her 9 month appointment and as a follow up for the ear infection and skin rash. If the ear infection has not improved from the latest round of antibiotics, we will be referred to an ENT.
What is the "ear infection"? Fever? Ear pain? Loss of hearing? What are your daughter's SYMPTOMS????
My daughter is breastfeeding and every few days either will not feed from the left side (her right ear hurts) or it takes a lot of convincing, particularly at night.
Is her speech developing on track? Can she hear fine?
Ear pain mostly, fever of 100.4 last thursday and a little fever on friday
That's IT? What does her pediatrician see in her ears??????????????
she appears to hear fine
I would likely not prescribe an antibiotic in this setting, but I have not examined your baby.
they just tell me they're infected, the previous doctor used to say her ears had fluid and were not draining correctly, so they became inflamed
Again, Most otitis media is viral. Has your baby been vaccinated so far up to date for age?
We're thinking about not giving her this round of antibiotics and just getting the referral to the ENT
yes
Why ENT?
I think they'
they
can't type
they're tired of seeing us so often and the situation is not getting better but it's not desperate
she only freaks out with ear pain once or twice a week, but I'd rather get the problem solved if i can
Your daughter has normal infant / toddler otitis. She will likely not have any ear infections as she grows and her ear canals "straighten" as they grow and widen. Referral to ENT in my practice is done if the infant is not hearing well and needs PE tubes, or severe otitis. Recommend follow your instincts. treat the congestion with symptomatic cares, sleeping more upright, humidifier if it helps if she breathes thru her mouth more.
See the ENT but recommend do not commit to surgery. She doesn't need it.
my husband says that it's a middle ear infection, the doc says that he can see pus behind the ear drum
he takes her most of the time
Yes, it is a middle ear infection that 's what "otitis media" means.
Pus is a sign of infection. If truly pus is visualized that is a sign of a bacterial infection and means an antibiotic is warranted as well as ENT referral.
We are just trying to prevent ear drum scarring to the point of impairing hearing and language acquisition. That's why all the big deal.
ok, very helpful
thank you for your time
At this point since I cannot examine your daughter's ears, recommend you follow her treating pediatrician's recommendations including another antibiotic but must be different from previous assuming previous infection is "resistant". All Best.
Please ACCEPT if I've answered your questions ; post back as much as you need. All Best to your family ,
Experience: Pediatrician, Board-certified in Ped Hematology/Oncology