What are these "all kinds of bacteria" my child is at risk from by not vaxing? (Ear infection)

[ambivamom]

I am not even sure what the "all kinds of bacteria" are that my ped is referring to; I am thinking of pneumococcal pneumonii (sp?) and whatever could lead to bacterial meningitis?  What else? 

I did  a search and read some threads and I do know that it ear infections can lead to blood infections, meningitis, and even death...I know however this is a small possibility and I would like to have a better idea of how small.  I am a risk vs. benefits kind of a gal and want to know the evidence other than the "WELL you haven't vaccinated him at all and that means there are all KINDS of bacterial things he could get" speech that I got from the pediatrician today...she then went on to talk about blood infections and pneumonia.

To be clear, I know the data on uncomplicated ear infections in older children, and the "wait and see" guidelines also.  

But my situation is that the ped wants to give my 15mo augmentin for an ear infection that has not resolved after 10 days of amox (or cleared up and then he got something else; we are talking about a 12 day period between visits.  

FYI the child has had no fever for a week and has only showed improvement in his other URI symptoms in the past three days.   He is not even acting sick...so I can't figure out what she thinks the risks are.   HELP!

[EVC]

Tetanus? Probably very rare, but apparently possible. 

[Anastasiya]

My guess is that she's just using his ear infection (which was probably entirely preventable in her mind because of the "ear infection" vaccine ), as a way to discourage your non vax decision - telling you that there's a whole lot more he could get sick with now, too.

[ambivamom]

Originally Posted by Anastasiya 

My guess is that she's just using his ear infection (which was probably entirely preventable in her mind because of the "ear infection" vaccine ), as a way to discourage your non vax decision - telling you that there's a whole lot more he could get sick with now, too.
 

I agree with this.  I was so stunned that I wasn't sure what to say, because she has never given me any flack for not vaxing before this.  And my "people pleaser" came out (Doggone it!  I thought I had her pretty much chained up in the basement!) and then when she reiterated that she wanted me to start him on the augmentin now, I just sort of said, ok!.... and left.   I had been there for over an hour and a half at that point with no breakfast beforehand, too.  I think my brain wasn't on.

I guess the reason I posted this question is so that I would be prepared to go back to her with my responses ready.  And I want to anticipate what she would say if I asked her to be more specific.  

But the problem might be resolved if I can get myself to a different doctor.   I am going to get a second opinion on the ear and its progress (or lack thereof)  in order to decide what to do next.  Dropping her as a ped is sticky at this point due to other ds's issues.  But I am going to try to go somewhere else for this.
 

[miriam]

Most of the diseases that vaccines supposedly protect children from are caused by virii not bacteria.  If you ever see that doctor again, ask her to be more specific.  Scare tactics should never cause a parent to crumble into compliance for any treatment or drug.

[carriebft]

I assume she was referring to the PCV vaccine and the 13 strains contained within it; these pneumococcal bacteria strains are connected with ear infections amongst other problems. Hib will also cause ear infections. The other vaccines that do protect against side effect ear infections prevent viruses like measles, mumps, influenza, etc.

[Pirogi]

IANAD!

But there are about 90 strains of pneumococcal bacteria, and the vaccine contains bits of only 13 of these strains.  I know there are concerns with serotype replacement WRT PCV vaccine.  Honestly and IMHO, the PCV vaccine, assuming it does indeed prevent infection from these 13 strains, is just a drop in the bucket to prevent infection against pneumococcal bacteria, and it may be pushing things in a more dangerous direction by increasing infection rates of other, more virulent strains that aren't contained in the vaccine.

As for your specific problem, my peds also were worried when my DD's ear remained inflamed with fluid/pressure after she had seemingly gotten over it.  The problem wasn't visible with their otoscope, and they used a tympanometer.  DD had not been on any antibiotics, since I had decided on a wait and see approach.  The ped told me that for a certain percentage of children (sorry, I don't remember the number now), the middle ear will clear itself, but for some it won't.  I decided not to treat the fluid with antibiotics, and she is fine now.  That was probably a year ago or more. 

Also, something like 50% of ear infections are caused by viruses, not bacteria.  Did your doc culture the fluid in your DS's ear?  It's my understanding that culturing isn't usually done routinely.