My child has an ear infection
I'm sure my child has an ear infection. Why can't you just call in an antibiotic?
Parents don't often ask this question of our doctors, but they do of our nurses. The doctors and nurses of Child Health Associates partner with you to always want what's best for your child, that's the best answer. And there are several specific reasons why antibiotics should not be prescribed without examining your child. For infants and toddlers, parents may guess that their baby's crying is due to an ear infection, especially if they have had one in the past, or if the baby is batting at the ear. But our daily experience demonstrates that a crying baby may not have an ear infection, but some other cause of the discomfort. As for older children, it is surprising how often an "earache" turns out to be ear pain referred from part of the body near by, such as a sore throat, tender gland near the ear, or even sinus or dental problems.
For children of any age we want to be certain that an ear infection is present. We want to assess how severe the infection is, and whether it's associated with other infections in the body. We want to see your child, assess how badly the infection is affecting him or her. We want to take the time to review your infant or child's history of ear infections to better decide on which antibiotic to use, how long to use the medication, whether to use an ear drop, or oral medicine , and when to see your child back, or when to check his or her hearing. Office examination is the best way to decide when a referral to an ear, nose and throat specialist is warranted.
Medical articles have recently documented, that depending on age and severity, not all ear infections require antibiotics to heal. When an antibiotic is carefully used, they don't always cure the infection, sometimes a second, different antibiotic is necessary. Sometimes an injection is necessary. Then there is the chance that an antibiotic may cause an adverse effect. This could be anything from a mild rash or diarrhea, to severe rashes, joint swelling, severe diarrhea, or hospitalization. A week doesn't go by in our office without a youngster developing some degree of adverse reaction, or allergy to an antibiotic.
Therefore antibiotics are used with care, only after careful history, physical examination and partnering with parents.