Ear Infections and the overuse of antibiotics.....?

Question

In a Parents magazine article a pediatrician said....

"80 percent of ear infections go away without antibiotics. It's a dirty little secret that ear infections pay our bills......Sometimes we write prescriptions because we want to feel that we are doing something to help, even though you'll be fine without it."

How does that make you feel knowing that the blatant overuse of antibiotics are making normal infections and illnesses harder to treat, causing them to turn into "superbugs" that take longer and more aggressive treatments to get control of?

Are our doctors really looking out for our best interests if they are writing prescriptions for antibiotics that aren't going to help your child, but could eventually hurt them in the long run?

Answer 1

Our doctor is looking out for our kids' best interests.  They won't prescribe antibiotics for an ear infection unless it has persisted for a while and is not resolving on its own (there's always that additional 20% that does need antibiotics) or there are other causes for concern, and they spend a lot of time educating parents on viral v. bacterial infections and the danger of using antibiotics for the viral infections that they can't help with, anyway.  It was my impression that more and more pediatricians and doctors generally have been taking this approach.

Answer 2

Yes, antibiotices are over-used in our society which is a real problem.

At the same time, not treating a child's ear infection in a timely manner can lead to hearing loss and needed surgery (for tubes) later.  So when it comes to my child (especially one that is not yet able to communicate about the pain, how long it's lasted etc..) I will error on the side of giving antibiotics too soon, rather than too late.

I myself suffered from chronic ear infections as a child and am THANKFUL that my parents treated them.

Answer 3

I had chronic ear infections growing up and was on ton of antibiotics to clear them up which it never did... my dad was a firefighter and he heard of ear nose and throat specialist who wanted to see me and see if he could clear up the infections andthis is what he said... 'ANTIBIOTICS ARE FINE FOR A VIRUS OR SORE THROAT OR WHATEVER BUT THE ONLY THING THAT CLEARS UP A EAR ACHE IS MEDICINE PUT INSIDE THE EAR NOT IN THE TUMMY.", He gave my parents ear meds and within a few days i was fine ... The same happened with our younger son he was one ear ache away from tubes in his ears, but i told the doc no more tummy antibiotics please give me ear drops for his ears and it cleared up right away...no tubes required... i do think antibiotics are over prescribed but i also dont believe ear aches go away on their own... the result of non treatment could be busted ear drums, hearing loss and etc...

Answer 4

Yeah, that's why my William contracted Glue ear which damaged his inner ear, making him legally deaf at 1yo.

Yeah, lets scare Mums & Dads into not getting their kids antibiotics for ear infections. Let their kids go threw the pain my son has had to endure, after 2 surgeries, and still doesn't hear properly.

Let the other Parents, explain they read a study by a Crack-Job of a Doctor that said antibiotics shouldn't be given to their child with an infection, or worse in a situation like my boy.

**Oh no Charli they told me, William is fine he doesn't need Antibiotics, it will heal itself.**

William will be 3yo in September. He wears a hearing aid after 2 corrective surgeries to his inner ears. He will never hear at 100% because some tosser of a doctor wouldn't prescribe him an antibiotic to help clear the infection up, then didn't pick up on Glue Ear.

My boy will under go more surgeries very soon. I kid you not, when I say if I met the loser who wrote that garbage, I'd hit him.

Answer 5

I follow my gut feeling on this issue, not the news, and not always the doctor. And where I live doctors hardly ever give antibiotics on the first visit. I also wonder have you ever had an ear infection? They are VERY painful. I generally do medicate for them because my daughter has had chronic ear infections, and we have seen the ear, nose, throat doctor as well. Even at 9.5 she still gets 1 to 2 a year. So its not like I just run and get antibiotics. I take into consideration how long she has had it and how much it hurts. I am not willing to risk hearing loss.

Edit:  I have used the numbing drops as well and they are a life saver. The last time she got them from the walk in he told me the numbing drops have antibiotics in them as well. I never asked the pharmacy though when filling the RX.

Answer 6

Just by reading your posts this should give you my answer.  This is a very slippery slope, many doctors prescribe the antibiotics so they dont get sued even if they think the child will get better on its own.  The fact is that yes, this will lead to super bugs but the doctors are torn between prescribing the meds to cure the infection (and possibly aiding "superbugs"), and or not prescribing the medication and risk inner ear issues which may lead to deafness and possibly big law suits.  So thats the dilema, doctors get paid for your office visit, whether or not they prescribe meds.....so to say they are trying to get more money isnt true, now maybe they ARE trying to avoid having to pay the parent of an ear infection large amounts of money........that is very possible.

Answer 7

You have to find a pediatrician willing to work with you....I've been aware of those stats for at least two years...the whole over use of antibiotics for ear infections is not new news....

If you are going to a pediatrician who is arrogant and seems to talk down to you when you discuss such matters, I say time for a new doc.  Moms lots of times have a sixth sense when it comes to their kids, and smart doctors know this and listen.

Answer 8

there was a time that my daughter (I think) had an ear infection that was iffy as to wether it needed antibiotics or not. The doctor said it was up to me if I wanted to medicate or not...and that it could get worse in a few days. I asked her one question " if this was your child, would you medicate?" she said yes, so I medicated. I have been seeing this doctor for 13 years and her partner for 28 years. they very rarely lead me astray. they tend to give me the truth straight up...they know I can handle it no matter what it is.

Answer 9

Who are we to doubt the word of a doctor, unless we are a doctor ourself. My 2 year old boy, has had a series of ear infections - probably at least 4 in the last 6 months or so. Each time he has been given amoxicillin, each time it has cleared it up. If he does contract one more however, our family doctor is going to refer us to an ear, eye and throat specialist, as he may need tubes put in. The fact that my doctor is willing to put his hands up and admit the issue may be over his head, gives me more confidence that he obviously has my sons better interests in mind - not to mention that this doctor has been my doctor since I was my sons age. The only downside is that his retirement is looming.

Answer 10

Honestly..I knew this 10 years ago.  Most ear infections are viral and will go away on their own.  Too many Dr.'s find it easier to pacify a parent by writing a prescription for just about anything.  Overuse of antibiotics lower the immune system.