Antibiotics are useless against most viruses and viral infection. But many doctors persist in treating viruses with antibiotics. Doctors also over prescribe antibiotics, particularly amoxicillan, especially with infants and young children. Ear infection is to babies as ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) and ADHD (Attention Deficit with Hyperactivity Disorder) is to school-age children.
Unfortunately, even if a doctor insists that the child’s illness is not going to respond to an antibiotic, there are parents who refuse to accept this. I’ve talked with countless parents who are convinced that their child has an frequent ear infections. After all, the infant cries constantly. They are determined not to leave the doctor’s office without that little white prescription slip for the ‘pink stuff’. The doctor may prescribe something just to satisfy a parent unwilling to look deeper into a child’s illness. It’s the placebo effect for parents.
Ear ‘infection’ is a hugely misunderstood complaint. First of all, it is important to note where the infection is in the ear and how this affects treatment methods. Otitis externa is an fungal/bacterial infection of the outer (externa) ear. This infection is otherwise known as ‘swimmer’s ear’. While swimmer’s ear is an infection, it does not respond to antibiotics. Otitis Media or ‘middle ear’ infection differs from inner ear infection. Frequent ‘inner ear’ infections will almost invariable cause a doctor to recommend the placing of ‘tubes’ in the child’s ears. The tubes are really a shunt or hole that supposedly drains the inner ear.
If a baby ‘pulls at his ear or if the ear is red, many parents immediately suspect ear ‘infection’. The ear may be itchy, or need cleaning. It may be red because the baby has been rubbing it. There was an urban legend going around recently that wax build-up should not be cleaned from a baby’s ears. Excess wax should indeed be cleaned away. Earwax collects bacteria and prevents it from entering the inner ear. Build up of ear wax is itchy, uncomfortable and can cause ear pain and hearing loss. Certainly nothing should be inserted into the ear. Ear wax should be cleaned by drawing a moistening a cotton swab gently along the rim of the ear opening. This will clean away most all the wax.
Another problem that can cause ear problems is a milk allergy. Cow milk was not designed for baby humans, but baby cows. Baby formula is simply processed cows milk. The best way to avoid a possible milk allergy is to breast feed the baby through at least the first year. A breast fed baby gets far fewer illnesses and
has a greater resistance to infection.
With a genuine ear infection, as with most any infection, there is almost always a high fever. The fever may cause the child to vomit. One of my sons had an ear infection. I asked several times about the infection, because I wanted to be sure that it would respond to antibiotics. I wanted a definite diagnosis for fear that his immunity would be lowered. The physician allowed me to look inside the ear. I could see the droplets of pus very clearly. The medication worked immediately and he was feeling much better within 24 hours.
That is an important thing to note with antibiotics. If the child does not respond with noticeable improvement within 24 hours, chances are very high that whatever the ailment, antibiotics will not help. If you see no improvement after 24-48 hours, tell your doctor immediately. It is possible that a different antibiotic is needed. the important thing is to keep in contact with your pediatrician. Make sure that she knows just how your child is responding to the antibiotics. Be proactive.
