Ear infection ?

[rosesandpetals]

Okay, we've seen more than one ENT and more than one audiologist at multiple hospitals and they all recommend antibiotics. And yes, I've asked each of them because we travel and I need to know what to do if we are OOT and she gets one. and it isn't because she's a SSS. That is their rec for all kids.

I'm sure your pedi and ent believe that. But it isn't universally accepted everywhere.

And as she said her kid has never had an ear infection before, I doubt she will become antibiotic resistant after 1 course of antibiotics so no need for the "it could kill you" drama.

[Kcthepouchh8r]

May 24, 2015 21:08:43 GMT -5 rosesandpetals said:

May 24, 2015 21:05:10 GMT -5 Kcthepouchh8r said:

I have never heard of an ear culture when there's the possibility of an infection. Per the cdc/aap the current recommendation is waiting 72 hours minus the child presenting with a high fever. If symptoms worsen/don't improve then it's considered necessary to treat with antibiotics.

For most kids ibuprofen is adequate. Honestly anytime my kids have had one they needed a dose at nighttime when lying down but otherwise were fine during the day. If an infection was to the severity that numbing drops were needed because ibuprofen didn't make them comfortable honestly I would do antibiotics (and assume my pedi would too).

you mean like the op's kid?

Per the op her kid had a cold with an earache and Tylenol made it better. Based on that there was no need to go in right away. I did say in my first response that it was necessary to go with "crying that didn't subside with pain meds".

[Kcthepouchh8r]

May 24, 2015 21:19:41 GMT -5 rosesandpetals said:

Okay, we've seen more than one ENT and more than one audiologist at multiple hospitals and they all recommend antibiotics. And yes, I've asked each of them because we travel and I need to know what to do if we are OOT and she gets one. and it isn't because she's a SSS. That is their rec for all kids.

I'm sure your pedi and ent believe that. But it isn't universally accepted everywhere.

And as she said her kid has never had an ear infection before, I doubt she will become antibiotic resistant after 1 course of antibiotics so no need for the "it could kill you" drama.

Sadly not all doctors stay up to date on the most recent research/recommendations. The cdc/aap don't make recommendations for funsies. Generally they're doing it based on research.

Yes a kid on antibiotics once isn't going to get resistance. It still is a medication with potential risks and side effects so not something to be taken lightly. A cold with earache that is fine with Tylenol doesn't mean you need to run to the pedi immediately. Just like 1 course of antibiotics won't cause antibiotic resistance not every earache means the ear is so badly infected that it will rupture the eardrum.

[rosesandpetals]

Okay. Whatever. I'm not doing this again. You're right Kc. Your Dr is the only one who knows what s/he is doing. Night.

[dizzycooks]

Well considering we had undiagnosed hearing loss and it was solved by tubes which we needed documentation of ear infections to get an ent referral, I am not "waiting" when I think my kid has an ear infection and I'm not turning down drugs after I've experienced pain from 4 EI myself recently. Nope sorry. I won't go in and beg for them, but if the ears are flared up I want them, along with a note about how frequent the infections are and I'll be all over getting tubes as soon as she qualifies. Didn't read the whole thing (sorry tldr) but if you trust your doctor and don't have a total push over I guess I'm going to trust they won't prescribe things that don't help and won't routinely prescribe the same class drug thereby promoting resistance.

[Rainyday]

May 24, 2015 20:14:59 GMT -5 Kcthepouchh8r said:

Also I'm surprised this isn't more common knowledge. Both my PCP and my pedi have posters from the cdc in their exam rooms of what kinds of infections warrant antibiotic use and which ones don't. Ear infections are checked off as no.

Ear infections are also subjective, not every Dr will even agree if you have one. It takes a very experienced Dr to tell just by looking. My kids don't even spike fever for an EI so you'd better believe by the time I figure it out from them being cranky and waking in the night that it has been at least the minimum 48 hr wait it out period.

[usm]

May 24, 2015 21:05:10 GMT -5 Kcthepouchh8r said:

May 24, 2015 20:28:44 GMT -5 usm said:

But how do they know it's not bacterial H Flu causing the infection? I do know there are some that do not respond to antibiotic but there is no way to tell without taking a culture, which takes 3 days to come back and it could get bad by then. Without a culture it is impossible to know what is causing the infection and what type of antibiotic will cover it.
There are also numbing ear drops and other treatments that aren't antibiotic.

I have never heard of an ear culture when there's the possibility of an infection. Per the cdc/aap the current recommendation is waiting 72 hours minus the child presenting with a high fever. If symptoms worsen/don't improve then it's considered necessary to treat with antibiotics.

For most kids ibuprofen is adequate. Honestly anytime my kids have had one they needed a dose at nighttime when lying down but otherwise were fine during the day. If an infection was to the severity that numbing drops were needed because ibuprofen didn't make them comfortable honestly I would do antibiotics (and assume my pedi would too).

[

That is kind of my point. They don't have a way of knowing what it is without taking a culture every time. How can they say no antibiotics without knowing? It's not an ear culture, it's a respitory culture of drainage. We never did it for DS1 but DS2 is often cultured. It is invasive and something you would not want done and it is not a rapid test. It's worth it to me to treat as if it is the bacteria that could cause damage. It is also the norm to refer for tubes after 4 EIs or 3 different types of antibiotic so that reduces the likelyhood someone would develop resistance to meds just from ear infections.

[Rainyday]

May 24, 2015 21:28:33 GMT -5 Kcthepouchh8r said:

May 24, 2015 21:19:41 GMT -5 rosesandpetals said:

Okay, we've seen more than one ENT and more than one audiologist at multiple hospitals and they all recommend antibiotics. And yes, I've asked each of them because we travel and I need to know what to do if we are OOT and she gets one. and it isn't because she's a SSS. That is their rec for all kids.

I'm sure your pedi and ent believe that. But it isn't universally accepted everywhere.

And as she said her kid has never had an ear infection before, I doubt she will become antibiotic resistant after 1 course of antibiotics so no need for the "it could kill you" drama.

Sadly not all doctors stay up to date on the most recent research/recommendations. The cdc/aap don't make recommendations for funsies. Generally they're doing it based on research.

Yes a kid on antibiotics once isn't going to get resistance. It still is a medication with potential risks and side effects so not something to be taken lightly. A cold with earache that is fine with Tylenol doesn't mean you need to run to the pedi immediately. Just like 1 course of antibiotics won't cause antibiotic resistance not every earache means the ear is so badly infected that it will rupture the eardrum.

That is so condescending.

[usm]

May 24, 2015 22:44:41 GMT -5 Rainyday said:

May 24, 2015 20:14:59 GMT -5 Kcthepouchh8r said:

Also I'm surprised this isn't more common knowledge. Both my PCP and my pedi have posters from the cdc in their exam rooms of what kinds of infections warrant antibiotic use and which ones don't. Ear infections are checked off as no.

Ear infections are also subjective, not every Dr will even agree if you have one. It takes a very experienced Dr to tell just by looking. My kids don't even spike fever for an EI so you'd better believe by the time I figure it out from them being cranky and waking in the night that it has been at least the minimum 48 hr wait it out period.

Both of my kids' were caught at well checks or for something else. Neither pulled at ears, had temps, or slept any worse then usual. As I said before I found about one of DS2's when it started oozing.

[Kcthepouchh8r]

May 24, 2015 22:36:51 GMT -5 dizzycooks said:

Well considering we had undiagnosed hearing loss and it was solved by tubes which we needed documentation of ear infections to get an ent referral, I am not "waiting" when I think my kid has an ear infection and I'm not turning down drugs after I've experienced pain from 4 EI myself recently. Nope sorry. I won't go in and beg for them, but if the ears are flared up I want them, along with a note about how frequent the infections are and I'll be all over getting tubes as soon as she qualifies. Didn't read the whole thing (sorry tldr) but if you trust your doctor and don't have a total push over I guess I'm going to trust they won't prescribe things that don't help and won't routinely prescribe the same class drug thereby promoting resistance.

That doesnt work because only certain kinds of antibiotic work for certain types of infections. Switching up classes of antibiotics doesn't mean resistance can't happen either. Every time you take antibiotics you're killing off good bacteria. Some people can take antibiotics pretty regularly for life and be fine while others don't. My friends husband got MRSA and only took antibiotics on average once a year.

If your kid is having issues with chronic ear issues you can get proper treatment without constant antibiotics. My child has tubes and only managed to take a single dose of antibiotics from the time she first had issues to the time she had the surgery.

[Kcthepouchh8r]

May 24, 2015 22:47:39 GMT -5 usm said:

May 24, 2015 21:05:10 GMT -5 Kcthepouchh8r said:

I have never heard of an ear culture when there's the possibility of an infection. Per the cdc/aap the current recommendation is waiting 72 hours minus the child presenting with a high fever. If symptoms worsen/don't improve then it's considered necessary to treat with antibiotics.

For most kids ibuprofen is adequate. Honestly anytime my kids have had one they needed a dose at nighttime when lying down but otherwise were fine during the day. If an infection was to the severity that numbing drops were needed because ibuprofen didn't make them comfortable honestly I would do antibiotics (and assume my pedi would too).

[

That is kind of my point. They don't have a way of knowing what it is without taking a culture every time. How can they say no antibiotics without knowing? It's not an ear culture, it's a respitory culture of drainage. We never did it for DS1 but DS2 is often cultured. It is invasive and something you would not want done and it is not a rapid test. It's worth it to me to treat as if it is the bacteria that could cause damage. It is also the norm to refer for tubes after 4 EIs or 3 different types of antibiotic so that reduces the likelyhood someone would develop resistance to meds just from ear infections.

It's not no antibiotics ever-it's just not every minor infection needs one and the medical field is trying to change the culture that our bodies always need one. There's the belief that these kinds of infections need medication to heal but the science doesn't support that. 72 extra hours of the bacteria isn't going to make some life changing difference and per research the majority spontaneously heal. Obviously people do need to use some judgment. If my child was in severe pain where ibuprofen didn't make them comfortable I wouldn't make them suffer for days like that. The information provided in the OP though( cold, minor fever, earache that started that day was fine with Tylenol)? Those are the kinds of instances we should avoid running to the doctors for drugs and wait and see if the body heals on it's own. Since it got to the point where the child was miserable even with pain medication it was the right call to seek treatment with prescription medication at that point.

Tubes aren't always a cure all. I have had chronic ear problems since childhood and have been through many sets as well as many doses of antibiotic. In the past 10 years since the recommendation changed I've treated numerous infections at home. Only one time did I have to go in for meds.

[Kcthepouchh8r]

May 25, 2015 6:06:18 GMT -5 incogneato said:

I don't go here but I'm a little surprised at the level of hostility towards someone reiterating what the current recommended standard of care is. KC is correct. A new ear infection in an older child is generally not recommended to be treated with abx. A doctor can look at a child and decide to go ahead, but generally the advice is to treat for pain and monitor. Her doctor isn't some super special snowflake- that IS the current recommendation for doctors. This doesn't mean that it's bad for a doctor to do otherwise based in specific circumstances, but she's not wrong.

That's kind of the norm here. I present something that science suggests is right and a few argue that it shouldn't apply to their SSS.

[lexus]

May 25, 2015 6:18:00 GMT -5 Kcthepouchh8r said:

May 25, 2015 6:06:18 GMT -5 incogneato said:

I don't go here but I'm a little surprised at the level of hostility towards someone reiterating what the current recommended standard of care is. KC is correct. A new ear infection in an older child is generally not recommended to be treated with abx. A doctor can look at a child and decide to go ahead, but generally the advice is to treat for pain and monitor. Her doctor isn't some super special snowflake- that IS the current recommendation for doctors. This doesn't mean that it's bad for a doctor to do otherwise based in specific circumstances, but she's not wrong.

That's kind of the norm here. I present something that science suggests is right and a few argue that it shouldn't apply to their SSS.

The point is that a dr should be monitoring her to avoid permanent damage. The dr should decide if she need antibiotics, not KC and the poster in KC's pedi's office.

[Kcthepouchh8r]

May 25, 2015 6:25:21 GMT -5 lexus said:

May 25, 2015 6:18:00 GMT -5 Kcthepouchh8r said:

That's kind of the norm here. I present something that science suggests is right and a few argue that it shouldn't apply to their SSS.

The point is that a dr should be monitoring her to avoid permanent damage. The dr should decide if she need antibiotics, not KC and the poster in KC's pedi's office.

dup

[Kcthepouchh8r]

May 25, 2015 6:28:42 GMT -5 Kcthepouchh8r said:

May 25, 2015 6:25:21 GMT -5 lexus said:

The point is that a dr should be monitoring her to avoid permanent damage. The dr should decide if she need antibiotics, not KC and the poster in KC's pedi's office.

Do you actually believe that earaches regularly escalate to bam permanent damage within 3 days time?

[lexus]

May 25, 2015 6:39:09 GMT -5 Kcthepouchh8r said:

May 25, 2015 6:28:42 GMT -5 Kcthepouchh8r said:

Do you actually believe that earaches regularly escalate to bam permanent damage within 3 days time?

I don't have medical training. I have no idea how it would take. I would probably call the nurse line and do what they suggested. But like pps, when dd has had ear infections in the past she didn't have symptoms other than pain.

[lexus]

May 25, 2015 6:43:52 GMT -5 incogneato said:

May 25, 2015 6:18:00 GMT -5 Kcthepouchh8r said:

That's kind of the norm here. I present something that science suggests is right and a few argue that it shouldn't apply to their SSS.

Got it. I loooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooove my pedi in big part because he is hesitant to prescribe antibiotics (not AGAINST, just hesitant unless he believes it's really needed) and he's great about letting us call him any time. So if my kids get an EI I call him, give him the run down, and then he'll check in with us to see how they are doing later and have us come in if he thinks it's warrented. He will also give us a prescription but tell us that we can wait to have it filled if symptoms get worse.

My friend who is an ER doctor approves of waiting with EIs.

Also, abx resistance is NO JOKE so I'm glad you're fighting the good fight here. 


And for others, antibiotics aren't just good. Obviously use them if they are needed and the pros outweigh the cons, but they definitely have downsides which is why the CDC is recommended they be used less. They aren't "putting it on posters" for shits and giggles. It's based on legitimate research.

For your edification:

Abx overuse in kids linked with obesity, illness, allergies in adulthood:

www.latimes.com/science/la-sci-sn-childhood-antibiotics-obesity-20140929-story.html

discover.umn.edu/news/science-technology/infant-antibiotic-use-linked-adult-diseases

www.medscape.com/viewarticle/780023


Again, if your kid has strep or an infection, by all means follow doctors orders (but be sure to take every dose and follow directions for use) but if you can avoid using abx by waiting a day or two and observing (again, with doctor approval) it is often the best idea. 

That isn't what KC originally recommended. She recommended that the op wait to go to the dr and suggested that it might heal on its own. The rest of us aren't saying the op's child has to be on antibiotics, just that she should be seen by the dr to determine next steps and treatment. KC's condescending tone and "I'm surprised you don't know this..." (Which, by the way, is something she says all the time) are to blame for people jumping in. She might have good info but her delivery sucks and puts people off.

[Kcthepouchh8r]

May 25, 2015 6:57:52 GMT -5 lexus said:

May 25, 2015 6:43:52 GMT -5 incogneato said:

Got it. I loooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooove my pedi in big part because he is hesitant to prescribe antibiotics (not AGAINST, just hesitant unless he believes it's really needed) and he's great about letting us call him any time. So if my kids get an EI I call him, give him the run down, and then he'll check in with us to see how they are doing later and have us come in if he thinks it's warrented. He will also give us a prescription but tell us that we can wait to have it filled if symptoms get worse.

My friend who is an ER doctor approves of waiting with EIs.

Also, abx resistance is NO JOKE so I'm glad you're fighting the good fight here. 


And for others, antibiotics aren't just good. Obviously use them if they are needed and the pros outweigh the cons, but they definitely have downsides which is why the CDC is recommended they be used less. They aren't "putting it on posters" for shits and giggles. It's based on legitimate research.

For your edification:

Abx overuse in kids linked with obesity, illness, allergies in adulthood:

www.latimes.com/science/la-sci-sn-childhood-antibiotics-obesity-20140929-story.html

discover.umn.edu/news/science-technology/infant-antibiotic-use-linked-adult-diseases

www.medscape.com/viewarticle/780023


Again, if your kid has strep or an infection, by all means follow doctors orders (but be sure to take every dose and follow directions for use) but if you can avoid using abx by waiting a day or two and observing (again, with doctor approval) it is often the best idea. 

That isn't what KC originally recommended. She recommended that the op wait to go to the dr and suggested that it might heal on its own. The rest of us aren't saying the op's child has to be on antibiotics, just that she should be seen by the dr to determine next steps and treatment. KC's condescending tone and "I'm surprised you don't know this..." (Which, by the way, is something she says all the time) are to blame for people jumping in. She might have good info but her delivery sucks and puts people off.

Solely going off the info in the op it is not necessary to be seen in urgent care immediately. Considering the high probability of misdiagnosis letting your doctor deal Is better. Earaches happen with colds often and don't require immediate medical care (unless it escalates to the point where pain meds don't help which obviously we all agree was right here). You can certainly call in and be monitored over the phone.

We have had this discussion before and I'm always genuinely surprised that the masses often disagree and never heard this because it's been the recommendation for 12 years now. It isn't meant to be condescending to someone in particular. It's surprise at medical professionals not following that protocol not that parents should know better.

[rosesandpetals]

May 25, 2015 6:06:18 GMT -5 incogneato said:

I don't go here but I'm a little surprised at the level of hostility towards someone reiterating what the current recommended standard of care is. KC is correct. A new ear infection in an older child is generally not recommended to be treated with abx. A doctor can look at a child and decide to go ahead, but generally the advice is to treat for pain and monitor. Her doctor isn't some super special snowflake- that IS the current recommendation for doctors. This doesn't mean that it's bad for a doctor to do otherwise based in specific circumstances, but she's not wrong.

If you were a reg here, you'd understand the hostility. People get tired of the condescension that drips out of 90% of the posts.

And kc, even the fucking cdc website says they recommend antibiotics for certain types of ear infections. Maybe the wall chart was a little over simplified, no?

[thecheshirekat]

I've never personally seen an ear infection in my kids go away on its own, and I have absolutely tried to wait it out - in large part because the sick visit and then the follow-up ten days later end up costing $200. Every time one of my kids has started pulling at an ear and crying at night it has escalated rather than subsided, and I end up with a kid who's miserable and lethargic and can't get rid of a fever. Every. Single. Time. I don't love giving antibiotics, but 72 hours is an awfully long time to wait with a kid who's in pain, regardless of whether or not it's doing permanent damage.

[rosesandpetals]

May 25, 2015 6:18:00 GMT -5 Kcthepouchh8r said:

May 25, 2015 6:06:18 GMT -5 incogneato said:

I don't go here but I'm a little surprised at the level of hostility towards someone reiterating what the current recommended standard of care is. KC is correct. A new ear infection in an older child is generally not recommended to be treated with abx. A doctor can look at a child and decide to go ahead, but generally the advice is to treat for pain and monitor. Her doctor isn't some super special snowflake- that IS the current recommendation for doctors. This doesn't mean that it's bad for a doctor to do otherwise based in specific circumstances, but she's not wrong.

That's kind of the norm here. I present something that science suggests is right and a few argue that it shouldn't apply to their SSS.

I specifically said I don't have a SSS, actually. And you don't present something science suggests is right, you are condescending about "i am so surprised your dr doesn't know better". Maybe people would be more receptive to what you're saying if you weren't so pompous and -- rude -- when you say it.

[dizzycooks]

May 25, 2015 11:59:07 GMT -5 thecheshirekat said:

I've never personally seen an ear infection in my kids go away on its own, and I have absolutely tried to wait it out - in large part because the sick visit and then the follow-up ten days later end up costing $200. Every time one of my kids has started pulling at an ear and crying at night it has escalated rather than subsided, and I end up with a kid who's miserable and lethargic and can't get rid of a fever. Every. Single. Time. I don't love giving antibiotics, but 72 hours is an awfully long time to wait with a kid who's in pain, regardless of whether or not it's doing permanent damage.

And honestly if my kid is running a high fever I can't send them to daycare so I can't wait 3 days to find out if it's treatable or if it's a virus. If I get a call about a fever and have to leave work, we go in. It's freaking expensive, but at least I'm not missing a week of work and we have some idea what's wrong. It's lovely that your doc takes calls and advises over the phone. I've never had that experience. Even with the nurse line it's 95% "you should probably come in we can't give advice about that."

[Kcthepouchh8r]

May 25, 2015 13:29:15 GMT -5 dizzycooks said:

May 25, 2015 11:59:07 GMT -5 thecheshirekat said:

I've never personally seen an ear infection in my kids go away on its own, and I have absolutely tried to wait it out - in large part because the sick visit and then the follow-up ten days later end up costing $200. Every time one of my kids has started pulling at an ear and crying at night it has escalated rather than subsided, and I end up with a kid who's miserable and lethargic and can't get rid of a fever. Every. Single. Time. I don't love giving antibiotics, but 72 hours is an awfully long time to wait with a kid who's in pain, regardless of whether or not it's doing permanent damage.

And honestly if my kid is running a high fever I can't send them to daycare so I can't wait 3 days to find out if it's treatable or if it's a virus. If I get a call about a fever and have to leave work, we go in. It's freaking expensive, but at least I'm not missing a week of work and we have some idea what's wrong. It's lovely that your doc takes calls and advises over the phone. I've never had that experience. Even with the nurse line it's 95% "you should probably come in we can't give advice about that."

I said earlier if the child has a fever (outside of low grade) the recommendation is to treat. So yeah, if your in a situation where you're having to leave work because the fever is that high the right call is to go to your pedi immediately. The point was a kid with a cold and earache in the absence of a higher fever doesn't need to be rushed to urgent care. Ear pain isn't a situation that requires immediate care in the absence of more severe symptoms.

Also a kid with an ear infection should not be in pain. Either ibuprofen keeps them comfortable and acting normally or you bring them in to be treated.

[Kcthepouchh8r]

May 25, 2015 12:11:26 GMT -5 rosesandpetals said:

May 25, 2015 6:18:00 GMT -5 Kcthepouchh8r said:

That's kind of the norm here. I present something that science suggests is right and a few argue that it shouldn't apply to their SSS.

I specifically said I don't have a SSS, actually. And you don't present something science suggests is right, you are condescending about "i am so surprised your dr doesn't know better". Maybe people would be more receptive to what you're saying if you weren't so pompous and -- rude -- when you say it.

I have no clue how you don't have a SSS. Dd had surgery due to conducive hearing loss and we were given different recommendations for her vs DS.
Also I'm not sure how you know for sure what they recommend for well developing children. Did you specifically ask them to clarify that?

[rosesandpetals]

May 25, 2015 16:27:57 GMT -5 Kcthepouchh8r said:

May 25, 2015 12:11:26 GMT -5 rosesandpetals said:

I specifically said I don't have a SSS, actually. And you don't present something science suggests is right, you are condescending about "i am so surprised your dr doesn't know better". Maybe people would be more receptive to what you're saying if you weren't so pompous and -- rude -- when you say it.

I have no clue how you don't have a SSS. Dd had surgery due to conducive hearing loss and we were given different recommendations for her vs DS.
Also I'm not sure how you know for sure what they recommend for well developing children. Did you specifically ask them to clarify that?

Because her hearing loss isn't a product of what's going on in her ears. Yes, I did clarify it. We had a whole talk about ear infections with each of the specialists while shopping around. A regular trip to the dr about an ear infection is how we caught her hearing loss in the first place.

[mamaalysson]

May 25, 2015 16:24:56 GMT -5 Kcthepouchh8r said:

May 25, 2015 13:29:15 GMT -5 dizzycooks said:

And honestly if my kid is running a high fever I can't send them to daycare so I can't wait 3 days to find out if it's treatable or if it's a virus. If I get a call about a fever and have to leave work, we go in. It's freaking expensive, but at least I'm not missing a week of work and we have some idea what's wrong. It's lovely that your doc takes calls and advises over the phone. I've never had that experience. Even with the nurse line it's 95% "you should probably come in we can't give advice about that."

I said earlier if the child has a fever (outside of low grade) the recommendation is to treat. So yeah, if your in a situation where you're having to leave work because the fever is that high the right call is to go to your pedi immediately. The point was a kid with a cold and earache in the absence of a higher fever doesn't need to be rushed to urgent care. Ear pain isn't a situation that requires immediate care in the absence of more severe symptoms.

Also a kid with an ear infection should not be in pain. Either ibuprofen keeps them comfortable and acting normally or you bring them in to be treated.

Okay, anecdote and SSS, but our neighbor's 4-year-old nearly died from a untreated ear infection that went rogue. She never ran a fever, slept fine, and only complained of pain when it was very nearly too late. Obviously far from the norm, but I will always seek medical attention for any suspicious ear pain. I'd rather be over cautious and wage my time with a sick visit then have something turn bad.

[dizzycooks]

Yeah they are so hard to catch. Most of ours have been found at well checks. Recently I thought ear infection, turns out double EI + rsv. Last week, I thought strep, ended up strep + double EI.

[Kcthepouchh8r]

May 25, 2015 20:12:08 GMT -5 mamaalysson said:

May 25, 2015 16:24:56 GMT -5 Kcthepouchh8r said:

I said earlier if the child has a fever (outside of low grade) the recommendation is to treat. So yeah, if your in a situation where you're having to leave work because the fever is that high the right call is to go to your pedi immediately. The point was a kid with a cold and earache in the absence of a higher fever doesn't need to be rushed to urgent care. Ear pain isn't a situation that requires immediate care in the absence of more severe symptoms.

Also a kid with an ear infection should not be in pain. Either ibuprofen keeps them comfortable and acting normally or you bring them in to be treated.

Okay, anecdote and SSS, but our neighbor's 4-year-old nearly died from a untreated ear infection that went rogue. She never ran a fever, slept fine, and only complained of pain when it was very nearly too late. Obviously far from the norm, but I will always seek medical attention for any suspicious ear pain. I'd rather be over cautious and wage my time with a sick visit then have something turn bad.

Statistically you're more likely to get in a car accident on the way to the appointment or pick up some serious illness in the urgent care waiting room then a mild earache being a life threatening brain infection.

[Kcthepouchh8r]

May 26, 2015 11:19:48 GMT -5 @mama2b said:

May 26, 2015 10:43:13 GMT -5 Kcthepouchh8r said:

Statistically you're more likely to get in a car accident on the way to the appointment or pick up some serious illness in the urgent care waiting room then a mild earache being a life threatening brain infection.

Statistically smamistically it happened to her friend's kid. Hard to erase that. When you experience it, then it will shape how you respond in the future.

Bull. My oldest had a freak accident at 2 and wound up with a concussion. He needed therapy to regain skills and had migraines for months after. I could separate that what happened was a rare thing and didn't put him in a bubble afterwards. Crazy rare things happening doesn't affect how I live my life.

[mamaalysson]

May 26, 2015 11:27:15 GMT -5 Kcthepouchh8r said:

May 26, 2015 11:19:48 GMT -5 @mama2b said:

Statistically smamistically it happened to her friend's kid. Hard to erase that. When you experience it, then it will shape how you respond in the future.

Bull. My oldest had a freak accident at 2 and wound up with a concussion. He needed therapy to regain skills and had migraines for months after. I could separate that what happened was a rare thing and didn't put him in a bubble afterwards. Crazy rare things happening doesn't affect how I live my life.

That sounds very frightening, and I'm glad it didn't affect your life.  But, seriously, is the "bull" comment necessary?  Good for you that what was I'm sure a very scary time has not affected your current parenting.  I'm sure I am not alone in that every frightening experience with my children (and my close friends' children) has shaped my current and future parenting in some way.  Perhaps not as extreme (and condescending) as your bubble comment, but I am now aware of risks that I never knew existed before.  I had no idea an ear infection had the potential to be fatal..I know now, and I will absolutely contact our pedi for every single one (and before you get all "ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE", NO ONE is saying that contacting a pedi=antibiotics).  And, for our friends who almost lost their child - you don't think that every time she pulls at her ear, or runs a weird fever, or mentions any pain whatsoever associated with her ears, her parents are going to jump all over that?  Really?  That they can just move on from this experience and be all, "Boy, that was unlucky.  Guess we can now get over it."?  I guarantee you that will not happen.  Their daughter is nearly well now (not quite, but nearly), and I sat with my friend last night while she cried for nearly an hour about what had happened, what may still happen and the fear that will NEVER leave their family.  This experience has remolded who she is and how she parents, and as her friends, who sat with her while her daughter went through surgeries, who cooked her food and tried to provide distractions and solace through the hardest times, who listened to her admit to her biggest fears, it will never leave us either.