Ear Infections: EDUCATE...Don't Just MEDICATE
Prior to the mid-1930's, there was no such thing as an antibiotic. First came the sulfa drugs, followed by penicillin in the 1940's. Since then, hundreds of antibiotics have been developed. Right now, there are about two dozen that we can routinely use for the management of ear infections. But, did you know that in children, MOST EAR INFECTIONS WILL RESOLVE ON THEIR OWN WITHOUT ANTIBIOTICS? Knowing that, why do medical providers continue to shell them out, and why to parents continually demand them? Education.
So, what is the answer? Should we withhold antibiotics for childhood ear infections for otherwise healthy, normal U.S. children? Should we medical providers tighten our sphincters and wait 7 days like our European partners?
How about a compromise? Let's wait 3-4 days.....or basically, let's COUNT TO THREE before prescribing or soliciting antibiotics for routine childhood ear infections. If we do that, we may need to use some better pain medications than plain 'ol Tylenol or Motrin. Ear infections hurt like hell, so there is really nothing wrong with giving children stronger pain medication, if they need it. A few days of codeine is certainly not going to turn them in to heroin addicts. Should we use pediatric nasal or oral decongestants as well? Many studies have shown them to be worthless, but they are also safe and could help, so why not? Giving our remarkable immune systems TIME to fight these common infections without the interference of antibiotics will only make us stronger...for those future infections.
Each medical encounter is an opportunity for EDUCATION. Parents need to take a more active role and stop just accepting cafeteria medicine. When your child is diagnosed with a middle ear infection, ASK TO SEE IT. Have the medical provider show you that red and bulging eardrum. Buy your own otoscope (about $30) and look for yourself. Instead of expecting or demanding an antibiotic (most medical provider just assume ALL parents want them), ask if it is appropriate to DELAY using them for a few days. More and more, I am giving the parents this choice. I offer them a written prescription for an appropriate antibiotic just to hold for a few days. If the child is not improving over three or four days (or worsening at any time), then parents can get it filled. You would be surprised how many prescriptions go unfilled. Education.
Related Topics: Antibiotics for Ear Infections, Kids Ear Infection
So, what is the answer? Should we withhold antibiotics for childhood ear infections for otherwise healthy, normal U.S. children? Should we medical providers tighten our sphincters and wait 7 days like our European partners?
How about a compromise? Let's wait 3-4 days.....or basically, let's COUNT TO THREE before prescribing or soliciting antibiotics for routine childhood ear infections. If we do that, we may need to use some better pain medications than plain 'ol Tylenol or Motrin. Ear infections hurt like hell, so there is really nothing wrong with giving children stronger pain medication, if they need it. A few days of codeine is certainly not going to turn them in to heroin addicts. Should we use pediatric nasal or oral decongestants as well? Many studies have shown them to be worthless, but they are also safe and could help, so why not? Giving our remarkable immune systems TIME to fight these common infections without the interference of antibiotics will only make us stronger...for those future infections.
Each medical encounter is an opportunity for EDUCATION. Parents need to take a more active role and stop just accepting cafeteria medicine. When your child is diagnosed with a middle ear infection, ASK TO SEE IT. Have the medical provider show you that red and bulging eardrum. Buy your own otoscope (about $30) and look for yourself. Instead of expecting or demanding an antibiotic (most medical provider just assume ALL parents want them), ask if it is appropriate to DELAY using them for a few days. More and more, I am giving the parents this choice. I offer them a written prescription for an appropriate antibiotic just to hold for a few days. If the child is not improving over three or four days (or worsening at any time), then parents can get it filled. You would be surprised how many prescriptions go unfilled. Education.
Related Topics: Antibiotics for Ear Infections, Kids Ear Infection
1 Comments:
My 2 year old daughter is on her third round of antibiotics for an ear infection in 6 weeks. She just started preschool, was never sick before, and has now been continually sick since starting. With the antibiotics, the infection seems to improve, then digresses. She has also had an on-going cold with sinus congestion. Will a decongestant ease the absorption of the fluid? Does a decongestant encourage the healing of an ear infection? Do decongestants also have potentially harmful side effects in children so young?
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