Ear Infection Question

[dhurley423]

Hello,  I have read many of the several threads about ear infections, natural remedies, pros/cons of antibiotics, etc.  I am on board with trying the natural remedies before the antibiotics.  I am having trouble convincing my husband that our son isn't going to suffer from lack of antibiotics. 

Here is the background:  Our son is 2 years old.  The months leading up to his first birthday were pretty much back to back ear infections, along with back to back antibiotics that did nothing beneficial.  We just went ahead and got the tubes put in his ears right before he turned 1 and have been infection free... until now.  His tubes have fallen out - one just yesterday and that is the ear that is currently infected.  We normally see a holistic doctor in the area, but she is out of town until May 25.  She doesn't have any other doctors in her practice, so I am kind of stuck.  I took him to the ENT that put the tubes in.  He suctioned the mucus from the infected ear, verified that the tube was gone, and said that the perforation was still open.  He also removed a bunch of wax from his other ear. 

He gave us a prescription for an oral antibiotic as well as antibiotic drops.  I have conceded to my husband at the moment and allowed the antibiotic drops, but am standing pretty firm on the oral antibiotics. 

My question - what are some reputable resources to give my husband, that will basically put him to ease about not using the oral antibiotics?  I am looking for some non-biased studies or something like that.

I have made him an appointment with a chiropractor tomorrow, did some massaging around his ear, and am waiting for the drainage to stop, hopefully signaling that the perforation has closed and maybe I can try garlic oil on him.

I would appreciate any and all help!

Thanks,

Dawn

[dhurley423]

Anyone?  We had an argument this morning about it... I feel very alone in this decision.  He says he just wants a doctor to say its ok to not use antibiotics and he would feel better about it.  I really wish our regular doctor was in town!

[Momo123]

The AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) has guidelines on management of ear infections, is that the sort of thing you are looking for?

But your case is more complicated because of the ear tubes and I couldn't tell if he has issues with chronic fluid in the ears in addition to his acute ear infection now.

http://www.aap.org/healthtopics/earinfections.cfm Scroll to the bottom under General Resources, AAP policy and the one called Diagnosis and Management of Acute Otitis Media (the other one is or chronic fluid) has some guidelines based on research. One of the recommendations is for uncomplicated infections (not sure if your case would fall under this category though) watchful waiting without antibiotics while managing symptoms for 48 to 72 hours in children over 2. Not sure how many pediatricians actually subscribe to this thinking, but it's good to know.

Also, if your ENT could actually suction out the mucous from the open perforation, can't they test it to see if it's bacterial? I have heard that it is possible to test before you start abx in case it is viral in which case abx would not help.

My DS used to have multiple ear infections his first year of life and it was hard because I didn't want to give abx each time. I did do chiropractic and craniosacral therapy and dietary modifications and supplements to help his immune system in conjunction with abx when he had severe infections with fever. I'm sorry you feel alone, my DH is more conventional and we had many "discussions" about it too.

[Marnica]

The fact that your child has had multiple rounds of abx that have not proved to be beneficial is not reason eneought for your DH? Previous failure doesn't count as a compelling reason? 

Dr. Lawrence Palevsky is an MD (pediatrician) in NY who is holistically minded. he has guidlines for treating a variety of childhood issues. He addresses ear infections

http://www.drpalevsky.com/general_guidance.asp

I agree with above poster. I wouldn't give the oral abx unless a culture showed it was bacterial. Cahnces are it's not whoch is why abx have failed to help much in the past.