[linkboy]

Here's the gist of what's going on,

My 16 month old son has had an off and on ear infection since December. He got croup on the 20th and broke out in hives not long after that, which we found out was caused by an ear infection.

Since that time, he's been on 4 different antibiotics, none of which worked (*ding, here's a clue) and his temperature keeps bouncing, its gotten up as high as 103.

He'll be good for a few weeks and then it will come raging back.

Today, his temperature spiked again and my wife took him to Urgent Care (I couldn't get off because I was told I'm taking to much time off due to my son, I'm in the Air Force btw, so I don't have sick time).

The doctor there told my wife its probably an viral infection, which basically means we've been pumping my son full of antibiotics for essentially no reason, I wouldn't be surprised if he's built up some resistance. Not to mention the stuff we've been giving him wipes out all of the bacteria in his body (both good and bad), so that probably hasn't helped either. I probably could have told you that back in December, when he got it immediately after having croup.

To any parents on here, who have dealt with viral ear infections, what are some things my wife and I can do to help a little boy who is in misery. It breaks my heart to see him like this, poor kid.

He's got an appointment with an ENT to look into getting tubes (which probably is going to happen), but that isn't until the 5th of June.

[Cat Party]

Wish I could help, but I can't. But this is exactly why our pediatricians never gave us antibiotics for ear infections for our kids over the years.

[Ferrio]

He's got an appointment with an ENT to look into getting tubes (which probably is going to happen), but that isn't until the 5th of June.

That was the only thing that solved the issue for me when I was a child (I too got them all the time, really bad too) As for helping with the pain... I wouldn't know. Drugs would be the only help... but doubt as a child they could have them. Best bet is to try and keep their mind somewhere else other than pain.

[Marty Chinn]

My girl is in the middle of an ear infection right now. The last one she had was back in January. Her temp spiked up to 103 this time and even dropped as low as 96.5 in the middle of the night. A bit scary but I hear that's not totally abnormal. She's almost 13 months BTW. It sounds like your baby might be building a resistance to the antibiotics if it has been that frequent. The doctor had told us since it had been a few months since she had her last one, the antibiotics should be ok but implied if it had been more recent, they may not work. The first time she had amoxicillan, which I'm very allergic to, and then had to move to amoxicillan with something else before it worked. This time she's on amoxicillan and seems to be taking to it well.

So that's the back story; the only thing I can suggest is use some Ibuprofen and Tylenol to control the fever, and we were given these ear drops that you can put 3 drops every two hours to help deal with the pain. I'm sure you know, but makes sure when he's drinking and eating, that they're upright because any type of tilt can make things worse with the fluid build up. There was something else that I'm drawing a blank on now, but if I remember it, I'll reply back.

[DJ_Lae]

Tubes sound like the best bet.

Short of that, acetaminophen/ibuprofen when his fever gets particularly high and that's about all you can do. A cold damp cloth on the head or back helps too, but a lot of kids hate that.

I think my daughter (she's 2 now) caught every single strain of flu out there last fall and had a miserable few weeks (made worse when both of us caught it from her). Being unable to explain what's going on to them is probably the worst part, as you know they feel like crap but there really isn't that much you can do to comfort them. In our case it was the odd tylenol/advil and gravol suppositories to curb all of the vomiting.

[linkboy]

My girl is in the middle of an ear infection right now. The last one she had was back in January. Her temp spiked up to 103 this time and even dropped as low as 96.5 in the middle of the night. A bit scary but I hear that's not totally abnormal. She's almost 13 months BTW. It sounds like your baby might be building a resistance to the antibiotics if it has been that frequent. The doctor had told us since it had been a few months since she had her last one, the antibiotics should be ok but implied if it had been more recent, they may not work. The first time she had amoxicillan, which I'm very allergic to, and then had to move to amoxicillan with something else before it worked. This time she's on amoxicillan and seems to be taking to it well. So that's the back story; the only thing I can suggest is use some Ibuprofen and Tylenol to control the fever, and we were given these ear drops that you can put 3 drops every two hours to help deal with the pain. I'm sure you know, but makes sure when he's drinking and eating, that they're upright because any type of tilt can make things worse with the fluid build up. There was something else that I'm drawing a blank on now, but if I remember it, I'll reply back.

Its been that frequent because its probably being caused by a virus.

Antibiotics are 100% useless against a virus. However, if you keep pumping kids up with antibiotics when they don't need them, they built up a resistance to it and the antibiotic essentially becomes useless. So basically, if a situation ever comes up where he needs that particular antibiotic, its now useless.

Thanks everyone for the tips.

He's sleeping right now, probably about the only relief he's had all day.

[alphaNoid]

My 2.5 year old son went through this A LOT. Croup, ear infections etc.. even 103 temp bouts.

Every single time he was severe he was was given a steroid shot by his pediatrician which would always curb the problem. Talk to your doctor about that and feel free to PM me with any additional questions.

They usually all grow out of this.

[teruterubozu]

I don't mean to sound like a new age parent or anything, but organic foods have been found to reduce instances of ear infections in toddlers dramatically.

[wetwired]

My nearly 3 year old girl is prone to them. she's actually on antibiotics now. There is only one type that seems to work though, I can't remember the name off the to of my head but it starts with cli something.

She's been getting then less frequently as she gets older though.

[Marty Chinn]

Its been that frequent because its probably being caused by a virus. Antibiotics are 100% useless against a virus. However, if you keep pumping kids up with antibiotics when they don't need them, they built up a resistance to it and the antibiotic essentially becomes useless. So basically, if a situation ever comes up where he needs that particular antibiotic, its now useless. Thanks everyone for the tips. He's sleeping right now, probably about the only relief he's had all day.

I don't think it's forever useless, but it will be some time before they will be effective again. Is your kid in daycare? What also helped us, and I know it's not easy, was to pull them out of daycare during the period in which she was recovering from it.

[linkboy]

My nearly 3 year old girl is prone to them. she's actually on antibiotics now. There is only one type that seems to work though, I can't remember the name off the to of my head but it starts with cli something. She's been getting then less frequently as she gets older though.

The reason babies and toddlers get them more frequently is because the Eustachian tube in a todder is at a different angle then it is in an adult



See how the infant's tube is at a flatter angle. It doesn't drain properly because an infant's skull is smaller.

Fluid gets trapped due to it not draining properly and that's a prime environment for bacteria or viruses to grow. It's damp and its dark.

As we grow into our faces, the tube moves to a different angle and is able to work properly, causing less ear infections as we grow up.

Tubes are given to infants because they act as a secondary Eustachian tube, allowing fluids to drain properly, causing less ear infections.

I don't think it's forever useless, but it will be some time before they will be effective again. Is your kid in daycare? What also helped us, and I know it's not easy, was to pull them out of daycare during the period in which she was recovering from it.

That's what we've been doing, but it just keeps coming and going. My work is already getting pissed I'm having to take so much time (although they're being a bunch of assholes for different reasons I won't go into) and my wife only has one co-worker and her schedule isn't anywhere close to being stable.

[tinabina]

My 6 year old daughter just had her adnoids removed and tubes put in about a month ago and they have completely helped her so far. It's rough after the procedure seeing them coming out of the anistisia and all but it's worth it in the end. As for now I'd say Tylenol or Motrin for the fever and pain.

[Brettison]

I had 4 sets of tubes between the ages of like 18 months and 5 years old. That's the main thing that did it for me.

Even beyond tubes just in general your best bet is to see an ENT Dr. (I basically liked at the ENT Dr. as a Kid). Outside of that not much you can do. Hurt like a bitch as a kid especially when you got something really bad then your eardrum would burst. Gosh damn did I have some shitty nights as a toddler.

I also got my tonsils & adenoids taken out when I was an older toddler with the hope of maybe cutting down on me getting sick all of the time.

[AgentP]

Here's the gist of what's going on, My 16 month old son has had an off and on ear infection since December. He got croup on the 20th and broke out in hives not long after that, which we found out was caused by an ear infection. Since that time, he's been on 4 different antibiotics, none of which worked (*ding, here's a clue) and his temperature keeps bouncing, its gotten up as high as 103. He'll be good for a few weeks and then it will come raging back. Today, his temperature spiked again and my wife took him to Urgent Care (I couldn't get off because I was told I'm taking to much time off due to my son, I'm in the Air Force btw, so I don't have sick time). The doctor there told my wife its probably an viral infection, which basically means we've been pumping my son full of antibiotics for essentially no reason, I wouldn't be surprised if he's built up some resistance. Not to mention the stuff we've been giving him wipes out all of the bacteria in his body (both good and bad), so that probably hasn't helped either. I probably could have told you that back in December, when he got it immediately after having croup. To any parents on here, who have dealt with viral ear infections, what are some things my wife and I can do to help a little boy who is in misery. It breaks my heart to see him like this, poor kid. He's got an appointment with an ENT to look into getting tubes (which probably is going to happen), but that isn't until the 5th of June.

My third kid got many ear infections as an infant. She finally got ear tubes at around 12 months and all was good from there on out. Get those tubes ASAP, until then jut keep the Tylenol going.

[thoughthorizon]

A lot of kids are really prone to these things and I know from personal experience that having a sick child can be really tough.

The multiple changes of antibiotics over such a short period of time seems a touch odd - but medical systems vary from place to place. On the upside kids tend to tolerate high temperatures like that pretty well.

Again, I don't know how things work for your medical system, but do you have any choice for your ENT specialist? My wife did a lot of research when choosing a specialist for our daughter - you might even be able to be put on a shortlist for an earlier appointment in case anyone else cancels (happened to me recently and I got bumped forward by two weeks in my appointment time).

Good luck and stay strong - sounds like you're doing the best you can: and remember, things will get better.

[Marty Chinn]

A lot of kids are really prone to these things and I know from personal experience that having a sick child can be really tough. The multiple changes of antibiotics over such a short period of time seems a touch odd - but medical systems vary from place to place. On the upside kids tend to tolerate high temperatures like that pretty well. Again, I don't know how things work for your medical system, but do you have any choice for your ENT specialist? My wife did a lot of research when choosing a specialist for our daughter - you might even be able to be put on a shortlist for an earlier appointment in case anyone else cancels (happened to me recently and I got bumped forward by two weeks in my appointment time). Good luck and stay strong - sounds like you're doing the best you can: and remember, things will get better.

Depends if he has an HMO or PPO. HMO, not much of a chance.

[RevDM]

Babies get sick all the time. Don't worry about the antibiotics. Tubes are extremely common.

[linkboy]

Depends if he has an HMO or PPO. HMO, not much of a chance.

It's Tricare (I'm in the Air Force), not sure what they are, although I'm not to fond of them.

The multiple changes of antibiotics over such a short period of time seems a touch odd - but medical systems vary from place to place. On the upside kids tend to tolerate high temperatures like that pretty well..

The doctor on base basically told us that since my son is under the age of 2, its best to just try and treat it, that's why we kept going from antibiotic to antibiotic.

We started off on Zithromax, that didn't work, so Amoxicillin (which didn't work either), next was Augmentin (basically Amoxicillin on steroids, it didn't work either) and he's currently on Cefdinir, which isn't working either.

You think after a while you'd start to suspect that if 4 antibiotics aren't working, maybe its not bacteria, but a virus. Especially since all of this started after he had a case of croup, which is caused by a virus.

He's an Air Force doctor, so take that as you will (sorry, I'm not to big on military doctors. Obviously, not all of them are bad, but I've seen some real geniuses since I've been in, although the same can be said for civilian docs as well). The biggest problem is the Air Force decided I needed to visit Montana, so we're kinda limited on where we can go for ENT's. The one here in town can't get us in until the 5th of June.

[Marty Chinn]

It's Tricare (I'm in the Air Force), not sure what they are, although I'm not to fond of them.

That's probably HMO would be my guess. HMO is pretty much your health care is managed for you, you get recommended to a specialist by a doctor and so forth. Everything is just done for you. PPO lets you pick any doctor you want in the network for any reason you want without needing a referral or anything. I would guess military care is all managed.

[dab0ne]

Wish my wife was awake she would probably be able to talk to you (She's actually an Air Force Doctor) but since we're in England she's in bed. Hope your child gets better soon.

[linkboy]

That's probably HMO would be my guess. HMO is pretty much your health care is managed for you, you get recommended to a specialist by a doctor and so forth. Everything is just done for you. PPO lets you pick any doctor you want in the network for any reason you want without needing a referral or anything. I would guess military care is all managed.

Yea, we have to get refferals. Its a pain because sometimes it would be easier to just go downtown, but we can't due to stupid paperwork.

[shira]

Make sure you are comfortable with tubes before you decide.
I'm sure you are doing your research beyond google and Wikipedia.

[hockeypuck]

You'll need these tools:

--X-acto knife, #11 blade
--Those coffee stirring thin straw thingies, cut into 5 mm pieces
--Tweezers
--Penlight, or candle. Ideally candle, since it can also be used to sterilize the knife.

While your son is asleep, shine light source into ear canal. You'll see a translucent membrane reflecting light back at you. That is your target. Using the #11 blade, sharp edge pointing towards the ceiling, make a small 2 mm nick through that membrane in an upwards motion. This maneuver is key. Then quickly insert that coffee stirring thingie halfway through the small hole using the tweezers.

Wait for your son to calm down and fall back asleep, then repeat for the other ear.

There, now you don't have to wait until June 5th and you'll also save a pretty penny.

[linkboy]

Make sure you are comfortable with tubes before you decide. I'm sure you are doing your research beyond google and Wikipedia.

We are, and its why we're going to see the ENT as well.

[linkboy]

You'll need these tools: --X-acto knife, #11 blade --Those coffee stirring thin straw thingies, cut into 5 mm pieces --Tweezers --Penlight, or candle. Ideally candle, since it can also be used to sterilize the knife. While your son is asleep, shine light source into ear canal. You'll see a translucent membrane reflecting light back at you. That is your target. Using the #11 blade, sharp edge pointing towards the ceiling, make a small 2 mm nick through that membrane in an upwards motion. This maneuver is key. Then quickly insert that coffee stirring thingie halfway through the small hole using the tweezers. Wait for your son to calm down and fall back asleep, then repeat for the other ear. There, now you don't have to wait until June 5th and you'll also save a pretty penny.

I'm suddenly glad I have Tricare, as the ENT visit won't cost me anything.

I'm not getting near my son's ear with an X-acto knife, my wife and mom (especially my mom, he's the only grandson and she's addicted to the kid) would kick my ass to Pluto and back.

Honestly, I want to thank everyone for the advice.

[Marty Chinn]

Yea, we have to get refferals. Its a pain because sometimes it would be easier to just go downtown, but we can't due to stupid paperwork.

Ya, the whole referral process can be a pain depending on who your primary doctor is. That said, HMOs aren't all bad. Our HMO is pretty decent and there are times where it's definitely nice that everything is all taken care of for you so you don't have to worry about it (assuming everything works out ok). The best part about our HMO though is the advice nurse line. Pretty much 24 hour over the phone consulting which has been something I can't imagine doing without with our first kid.

[linkboy]

Ya, the whole referral process can be a pain depending on who your primary doctor is. That said, HMOs aren't all bad. Our HMO is pretty decent and there are times where it's definitely nice that everything is all taken care of for you so you don't have to worry about it. Assuming everything works out ok. The best part about our HMO though is the advice nurse line. Pretty much 24 hour over the phone consulting which has been something I can't imagine doing without with our first kid.

Don't forget, I'm dealing with the military, which automatically makes everything that much more complicated.

[Marty Chinn]

Don't forget, I'm dealing with the military, which automatically makes everything that much more complicated.

I've never had to deal with it but I can only imagine. Oh ya, you never mentioned, did they ever offer you drops to help with the pain for your boy? If not, see if you can get them. I can't remember what it's called, but it worked great.

[devon the dude]

Antipyrine & benzocaine ear drops might help with sleeping. My son got over a double ear infection about two weeks ago and those drops helped him sleep. They were RX and not OTC

[thespot84]

I had constant ear infections as a baby because I was missing some digestive enzymes (not quite sure the connection/mechanism). Once i got on the right formula of predigested stuff things improved. Is your son low in weight percentile?

[Marty Chinn]

Antipyrine & benzocaine ear drops might help with sleeping. My son got over a double ear infection about two weeks ago and those drops helped him sleep. They were RX and not OTC

Yep! Those are the drops I'm talking about. Works wonders.