Antiobiotics For Ear Infections?
March 25, 2008
From WebMD Blog
Most of the antibiotics prescribed for children in the U.S. are for the treatment of middle ear infections. In light of overwhelming evidence that antibiotics are not necessary in many (most) cases, old habits are difficult to change. Medical providers are continuing to prescribe stronger and stronger antimicrobial medications, and parents are still demanding them.
Americans are a “quick-fix”, fast-food culture. Parents bring children to our clinic within hours of complaining about ear pain. New parents panic when they see their infants pulling on their ears. If ear-pulling alone was a definitive sign of a middle ear infection, then why aren’t they bringing in children who pull their toes…or little boys who pull on their penises?
The less a person knows about a disease or condition, the more they tend to fear it. In the management of childhood ear infections, education is often much more powerful than medication. Since eardrums are “hidden” from the prying eyes of most parents, they do not want to take chances. When eyes become red in conjunctivitis (pink eye), parents know immediately. When eardrums become red – one of the signs of a middle ear infection – parents can’t see it; unless, of course, they have a good home otoscope. All parents should have a home otoscope (about $30) and know how to use it.
