Skip the antibiotics for ear infection on a 9-month old?

Question

My son was just prescribed antibiotics to treat ear infection. He, however, has NO symptoms ... no fever, no runny nose, no loss of appetite, no general discomfort or fussiness, no pulling on his ears... In fact, the only reason we went to the doctor was for his 9-month well-baby check up. I am reluctant to start him on antibiotics this early, and from what I looked up online, he really doesn’t need them -- the condition can resolve on its own. Do you have any experience in a similar situation? Please advise.

Answer 1

You would have to be diligent in returning to the doctor in a few days for a checkup or beginning him on the antibiotic if the mentioned symptoms begin. First try a decongestant. Sometimes fluid buildup in the ear can be diminished by the decongestants. I always start with that when my child has an ear infection. In a couple days get his ears checked again. It is true that some ear infections can go away on their own without antibiotic. Antibiotic resistance is growing due to misuse and fervent use of antibiotics for viruses. Just be sure to check back with dr and tell him your feelings, he may work with you since this is a common opinion recently. Also check with a ear/nose/throat specialist who can work you through future episodes....good luck

Answer 2

One time antibiotic use will not affect your child in a bad way. The problem is the over use of antibiotics. Some ear infections can be cured by antibiotics, others cannot. If your child had chronic ear infections then antibiotics would not be the answer, however your doctor is erring on the safe side and prescribing antibiotics for a one time illness and this is not a bad thing. If the ear infections does not get better after the first course of antibiotics then you should try for another solution. If you are really concerned you need to speak to your doctor about whether or not he always prescribes antibiotics for ear infections...if his answer is yes he is stuck in antiquated medicine and you need to find another doctor.

Answer 3

Do NOT skip prescribed meds for your child. Doctors are well trained and educated to see things that you and I would be blissfully unaware of. Just because your child isn't showing symptoms that you can notice, doesn't mean that they aren't showing ANY symptoms. If you're a physician, by all means, do whatever you feel is best. But if not, I'd think you'd be best served to defer to the physician in the situation.

Don't wait for your child to be in pain and uncomfortable before you do something. Leaving an ear infection untreated can be exceedingly painful and can actually harm your child's hearing. I would imagine that you'd feel terrible if your child's ear drum perforated or ruptured because the infection caused a build up of pressure and the thin tympanic membrane ruptured. (Which is not uncommon.)

Doctors have been very well schooled on the uses of antibiotics and rarely prescribe them for any and everything, anymore. My husband still gets angry patients who demand antibiotics for colds and other viruses. And they're even angrier when he won't prescribe them for a virus. (Antibiotics don't help anything other than bacterial infections.)

Please follow your doctor's orders.

Answer 4

If the doctor said that he has an ear infection the give him the medicine. An ear infection can lead to something worse because the ears, nose and throat are all connected. Just give him the antibiotics.

Answer 5

Some kids don't always have those symptoms and also some kids have a high tolerance for pain...we never knew when my daughter had an ear infection until it was really bad because she never complained...never had fever or anything..So, I wouldn't risk it...having ear infections that go untreated can lead to scarring in the ear and sometimes can cause eardrums to burst...which could be very painful!

Answer 6

plz take him to the specialist! i cant really give much by way of advice for what else to do, but i will say this, my mother didnt do anything about my ear infections as a child, they continued till my teen years, i got every cold under the son, and now my hearing is terrible, my speech is effected and my balance is as well. the long term effects of e.r. doc blowing your son off with meds is just not worth it. good luck

Answer 7

I think if the doctor gave you them to give your baby. Do it. You
didn't go to medical school he did. He probably saw it in the kids
ears with his instrument. What if your wrong ? Then your baby
will get a fever, etc. It could be "just starting". Don't be a negligent mother.....give your baby those anti-biotics.

Answer 8

I don't believe that the dr. would give medicine to a healthy child. Maybe the dr. found something and is trying to heal your child before it gets worse. If you want, get a second dr.'s opinion, but do it now. The dr.'s prescribe meds for a reason and you're not a dr.

Answer 9

Ihave read alot about moms not using the antibiotics. I would suggest that you don't use them until after he starts to show signes. I am with you. Although mabey contact the doctor and see what they say, tell them that you see no symptoms and would rather wait. they will tell you that either...1. he needs them or 2. you can wait it out and see. good luck

Answer 10

not just no but " HELL NO" 99 times out of 100 the doc can see what you cannot or can hear a difference in the childs voice that tells him there is something wrong or something is going wrong that the meds will quickly dispatch and the child will get better and feel better

i don't down you for being curious but care for your child first