My son has an ear infection, I refused antibiotics preferring to treat with tylenol and ear…..?
The one time my daughter had an ear infection at like 20 months, we started to let it run it’s course- like your doctor, ours gave us the option – on Monday, but asked that we come back on Friday to check her again. she was so miserable, that on Friday we went ahead and got the antibiotic. She had just weaned from breastfeeding 2 months earlier and I tried to express a few drops to put in her ear (yes this really does work, google it!), but I had dried up enough that this just was not working! I did not, however, use the entire course of the antibiotic – used about half of it. one she was feeling better, I stopped and we majorly increased our super healthy food intake (like garlic, vitamin c rich fruits, and organic yogurt). 2 weeks later it was totally gone. my ped asked if we’d taken the whole thing, I told her no, about half and our food thing – she smiled and said great! throw the last of it out!
Here’s the deal: There are viral ear infections, which are caused by viruses. Since the are caused by viruses, and not bacteria, then antibiotics are utterly and totally ineffectual (i.e., NOT required) There are bacteria-caused ear infections, which are caused by bacteria, and not viruses, and which antibiotics completely and totally (usually) cure! The same can be said for sinus infections, etc…. Therefore, your son must be having viral ear infections, which would deem antibiotics unnecessary, and would be the reason why they clear up on their own without antibiotics. There may be an underlying cause to the ear infections. You may want to make sure he’s getting enough fluids, try not getting water in his ears, or it may be due to daycare/babysitters…. I’m no doctor, but ear infections are no fun! GOOD LUCK!
I have never risked allowing an ear infection to run its course, being that I had an undiagnosed ear infection as a child and was left partially deaf in that ear. My daughter was born with a cleft lip/palate and is prone to ear infections. When I know that there is one coming on, I take her to the ped and have it treated right away. Ear infections can lead to serious damage if not treated correctly. Tylenol/Motrin and the numbing drops are helpful, of course, but turning down antibiotics is something that I would never fathom doing. I’m so sorry for your son, refusing to treat him is so sad. … while I agree with you that many doctors overprescribe antibiotics, if it’s something that requires antibiotics, then you take the antibiotics. If I chose not to parent my child and didn’t have her ear infections treated in the correct manner, then she would be deaf right now.
Wow, touchy subject! You are doing the right thing. Antibiotics have a place and purpose in the medical field, but overuse and improper use has fostered mutation and creation of ‘super-bugs.’ Minor ear infections generally clear on their own. If others did a little research, they would know that antibiotics wreak havoc in the intestinal system, which can cause systemic problems, and are rarely prescribed with an appropriate pro-biotic. Also, according to Dr. Mercola, antibiotics are only about 10% effective in resolving an ear infection and some studies have shown that ear infections are more likely to return after antibiotic treatment. It is so beneficial to allow a child’s immune system to function and build naturally, while simultaneously keeping him comfortable. Good job!
