No Pain, No Antibiotics (Doctor-tested strategy cures ear infections, keeps kids comfy)
“Let nature heal her ear infection.”
Prevention Magazine 11/02
Some 70 to 90% of ear infections will clear naturally if given time, says Robert Siegel, director of the Cincinnati Pediatric Research Group. Stop the ache --- then wait. He suggests a “safety net” strategy --- immediate pain relief plus a prescription for an antibiotic only to be filled after 48 hours if things don’t improve, or get worse. This approach works with kids older than one who are otherwise healthy. Kids with fevers over 101.5, or who have symptoms for more than 48 hours, a history of ear infections within the past 3 months or other complications – ear tubes or drainage problems – need antibiotics right away.
But wait and see. If the fever and pain hasn’t eased after 48 hours, get the prescription filled.
|
