Advice on Daughter Diagnosed with Ear/sinus Infection That Isn't Going Away

Ife you want a second opinion call Dr. Berry at ###-###-####. He has two offices one in warren and one in Clinton township.

Hi J. -

I would take her back to the doctor to confirm if the ear infections have cleared up or not. If they have and it's just the cough I would try some Vicks Vapor Rub on the chest and on the feet covered with socks. That can supress her cough and try some Benedryl to dry up any drainage that might be causing the cough. If the ear infection isn't cleared up then I would ask for a referral for an ear, nose and throat (E.N.T.)specialist and go from there. I'd still do the Vicks and Benedryl until you do get in to a doc either way. Works like a charm for my son, he's just getting ove his own ear infection, too.

Good luck - S.

Seems like the doc wouldn't have given her augmentin a 2nd time, since it didn't work completly the first time? I wonder if amoxicillion (sp?) would have been better, and if you do have to go back to request it, as long as she is not allergic that is? Good luck

Hey J.,
Augmention did not work on my son. I had his Dr. give him Bactrum and that did the trick. Repeat infections are a pain. Stick with it and on your Dr. too. Your poor little one! Good Luck.

Hi there.
My 16 month old had an almost constant ear infection and or fluid in her ears for 13 months. We had been on Augmentin and a slew of other antibotics. Your daughter may just be more pron to ear infections. At 14 months old my daughter eneded up having to get tubes in her ears. THIS your situation could just be a bad sinus/ear infection, look at our crazy weather she could just be more sensative to it. Either way I hope she feels better soon.

The antibiotic was probably for the ear infections, the question is the sinus thing a virus or something else? Viruses can take weeks to go away, and the cough is the last symptom to resolve. If she still has the sinus symptoms, I would definitely take her back for a different antibiotic, if it is just the cough, use an over the counter cough suppressant so she can sleep. If that doesn't help, then call them back and tell them what is going on. If she still is acting sick, has a fever, or looks worse, take her back.

Hi J.,
I just experienced something similar with my 2 year old son. He was diagnosed with croup and an ear infection and was put on a 3 day antibiotic so that in wouldn't turn into pnemonia and the doctor said it should help his ear infection. Well, 5 days later my baby's cough was getting better, but still didn't seem well so we went back to the doctor to have him checked out and it turns out the med's didn't help his ear infection and instead he had one in both ears now!! I was so upset... my poor baby had been so sick for so long and so he was put on a 10 day antibiotic (not amoxicillin)and that gave him a bad rash, but we used it all the way up untill the last day because it was just too hard to get into the doctors AGAIN to change the antibiotic and I just wanted him to get better so I put thick cream on his bottom continuously to keep the rash from getting worse. He seems better now, but we have not been back to the doctors to make sure his ear infection is completely gone, but I did call and they said if he seems happy than its probably all cleared up and that I didn't need to bring him back in. Its hard being a parent especially now with economy so bad. Our co pay has gone up a lot and its expensive to see the doctor so I try my best to do what I can so we won't have to go back.

maybe allergic to something in the house,check mattress for mold stains, get different pillow, my kids allergic to the mattress,i put plastic cover over the mattress. he kept get a cough and infections went to the doctors three time in two months. seem to be doing fine now. not saying the it. but something could be making your child sick

I agree with Renee's comments. I would add one more thing. We've been using Mulleins garlic drops in our ears. It is a natural antibiotic and it helps!

I'm shocked as well that your doctor prescribed the same antibiotic after it failed the first time. You might want to consider looking into another pediatrician. You have to be your child's advocate, and if you have a problem with the doctor getting to the root of the problem you may have to go elsewhere. Ask friends that live near you about their doctor experiences.

J.

I would think he would have changed her to a stronger antibiotic by now if it's not cleared up. I would ask him about it.

My oldest had ear infections a lot as a toddler. It seemed like every time he got over one he would get another -all through fall, winter and spring. The best thing that ever happened was that he got an ear infection in Feb. that year and it flared up quickly and burst his eardrum (he had a small tear and it healed quickly) but by doing that - it drained all the icky bad bacteria out of his ear drum -- he NEVER had another ear infection after that. What the doctors sometimes don't tell you is that even though the ear infection may look to be cleared up - you will sometimes have a small amount of fluid resting in the ear that has bad bacteria in it -- the minute she's exposed to a bug of some sort, that bacteria in her ear multiplys and then she's got an ear infection all over. If kids have repeat ear infections, you should talk to your PED or go to an ENT and tak to them about doing a procedure with a laser to basically make a small tear in the eardrum to drain all that out. You may want to go to an ENT anyway if it's not clearing up and have them check her ears and sinuses. Dr. Haupner (Chief of ENT at Children's Hospital of MI) is great - and he has an office in Southfield and is also at Huron Valley Hosp. 1x per month.

From what I have learned with my 3yr old is, that a lot of the times allergies can cause ear infections and cough. A lot of doctors don't even give antibiotics for ear infections, because they are not 100% sure it will help. In Europe I know they don't. Whenever my daughter got an ear infection, she always had a cough too, and they gave her an allergy med., and an antibiotic and that cleared it up. She most likely is coughing from stuff draining down her throat. Antihistamines help dry the mucus up, therfore there is nothing to drain into her throat to cause her to cough. So my suggestion is try Claritin along with the antibiotic and see if it helps. You have to do the claritin for a at least a couple of days though. My daughter just started her coughing at night since we were outside on that very nice day. I just put her back on the Claritin to see if it would help her cough, and it did she slept all through the night. The night before the whole house was up from her cough. Well hope it helps, let me know how things go.

I would ask the doctor about rotating antibiotics. My son had several and we never used the same one twice in a row. Also your daughter may have something that is viral. Antibiotics don't cure everything. She may just need to get through it and take meds for the symptoms.

Check into her diet. Milk and milk products can play havoc on any ear, nose and throat issues. She may have an allergy to dairy. A friend of mine has a son who even if he had milk on cereal he would go into a full blown ear infection. It's worth looking into.

Try just calling the doc and telling him/her that she still has same symptoms and can we try a diff med before bringing her back again. Mine will sometimes do this for me. It's worth a try. Instead of making an appt, leave a message for doc with the med assistant, this is a good person to make friends with!

Hi J. - The cough could be caused by drainage coming out of the ear - we just had this same issue with my son, who just had his first ear infection - it lasted almost three weeks after his course of antibiotics. If your daughter is still complaining about her ears, I would definitely take her because you don't want an ear drum rupture/scarring - your doctor should then prescribe a stronger antibiotic that knocks it out.

J., my daughter had constant ear infections and our pediatrician sent us to an ENT. She had had 8 ear infections in as many weeks. He took out her adnoids and put in ear tubes. It was the best thing ever! That was when she was 3.5 years old. Our pediatrician said we needed to be careful because if she kept getting ear infections, it could cause permanent damage to her hearing. You may want to ask your doctor about that if it persists.

She may have developed a food allergy. One big culprit can be dairy.

How much milk/dairy does she consume? Milk, ice cream, mac & cheese, yogurt, pizza, grilled cheese, string cheese, cream cheese, cottage cheese, etc etc etc?

Gluten would be the next culprit to consider.

And she probably needs an extra long course of pro-biotics to repopulate her gut with good flora after all those antibiotics. Research that and check w/ your doctor.

See if your library has a copy of Dr Doris Rapp's book, "Is This Your Child?"

have you discussed tubes in the ears? i had it for both my older children and it was a miracle and requires no medication and they simply fall out on their own... they are tiny and allow the ear to drain, neither child had an ear infection after. I weighed the minimal risk versus long term antibiotic use and it was a perfect solution for our family.

Hi J.---Have you thought about how you can help to strengthen her immune system to help her body work to clear this infection?

I am taking a wellness class through a Naturopath who has her PhD in nutrition. We have talked at great length about how our diet, specifically fruits, veggies, whole grains and legumes, impact the immune system. Unfortunately, even with 'eating pretty well', our environment throws so much bad stuff at us, I don't think 'eating well' is good enough any longer. And I agree that milk can be a potential problem. Go to www.strongbones.org to learn more.

So concentrate on getting more fruits and veggies into her. These are the only foods that have the phytonutrients in them that give our bodies the building blocks for optimal health. If you would like some additional information on specific foods, recipes, etc to help incorporate these ideas into your meal planning, please give me a call. I love to share.

I would also recommend a good whole food based supplement to help insure enough fruits and veggies. It is suggested that we eat 7 to 13 servings each and every day! I know of a great one with several research studies, done in the human body, to show a strengthening and balancing of the immune system. It's easy, because it's just fruits and veggies.

I look forward to talking to you, and I wish your daughter the best. There is nothing more frustrating than seeing a child suffer. In health, D.

Your little sweetie must be feeling miserable :( I suffer from severe sinus infections a couple of times a year. The coughing is most likely from drainage going down her throat so loosening that up will help. Try to get her to drink as much as possible and limit dairy. Use a vaporizer in her room at night and try propping her a little in bed with an extra pillow so she can breath easier. They make a Mucinex chewable for children now that will help thin and loosen the mucus so it will come out easier (check the age appropriateness but I think she is old enough). You might also check with your pediatrician or pharmacist about trying a saline nasal rinse/spray (they make these so gentle you can use them on babies - just look for the ones specifically for children). She probably won't like it but it should help clear some of the nasal passage gunk that is contributing to the infection. Sometimes if the infection is really bad it can take two or three rounds of antibiotics before it eases up or they may need to change her to another type. Good luck!

I have a son who has had chronic ear infections since he was little he still gets them and he is 12. He had tubes when he was 2 which did not work in minimizing ear infections for a number of reasons and we still had ear infections after the tubes. He just had one at 12 which suprises the Doc! But all kids are different. We have more than once been perscribed the same antibiotic because the infection was bad enough that the first course wasn't long enough. Plus your daughter had two serious infections! I know we have had a cough with an ear infection more than once. Make sure she is blowing her nose....that is a problem we have my son always hates to blow his nose and the fluid will build up in his had and it has to go somewhere. I would call the office let them know she is still not well and then see what they say. I would go back asap if they want to see her. The ear infection and the sinus infections will escalate and get worse if that is not cleared up. Neither of these can really clear up on their own. We often would have coughs with our ear infections.

I also have a secret receipe for my kids when they have this head conjestion to keep fluids in them....I make the Jello and then dilute it slightly serve it in one of your mugs.....my kids love it and it keeps them drinking and coats the throat slightly.

Take her back if she is not better very soon. Perhaps the doctor should have used a different antibiotic the second time when the first go around didn't take care of the same infection. I would call them. Hope she feels better!

Take her to a Chiropractor. Mine is at Hall Rd and Heidenricht, Point Village. Dr Jeff Conn is wonderful. When my children were smaller and had sinus problems I would take them to see Dr Jeff and with in 2 days there were better. Their sinuses had drained and their ears were much better. Also try a hot bath with a steammy bathroom to help relax them and get the gunk moving.

Good luck, hope your litte one feels better soon.

Chelle E.

Hi J.,

I would really be careful about another round of antibiotics. Resistance issues, and stripping her body of natural 'bugs' are just a couple of the problems associated with prolonged use of antibiotics. In addition, it really doesn't seem like this doctor is really looking at your daughter and HER situation. I'm really surprised he perscribed augmentin again after it didn't clear things up the first time.

I have had life long issues with sinus problems. Matter of fact, Thursday I am having sinus surgery for the second time in my life. Long story, but it is necessary. So, I am well versed in sinus infections and the like. I've NEVER had a doctor give me the same antibiotic TWICE in a row for an infection that wasn't clearing up.

First thing that is coming to mind is allergies. She could have an allergy that is keeping her congested, and then it is resting in her sinus cavities, getting infected and then because her eustachian tubes are not in their 'adult' location it causes drainage to pool there and BAM, ear infection. Vicious cycle.

Some things to try: (but not all at once or you won't know what helped! Try things for a week at a time.)

*Wet dust her room and her play area EVERY day in the morning.

*Remove dairy from her diet. Particulary commercial milk. She can get the fat she needs from other sources: avacado, cod liver oil (they have flavored ones... Nordic Naturals is a GREAT brand. Available at more health/vitamin stores), olive oil in her foods, etc....

*Boost the fruits and veggies.

*Try and immune booster like Elderberry Extract. Sambucus is a great brand that you can get any most health/vitamin stores.

*Make sure your home is free of MOLD and any other fungus. There have been some studies by the Mayo clinic that suggest a high percentage of recurrent sinus infections are due to fungus. Getting rid of the fungus is essential.

Think about taking her to a chiropractor who regularly works on kids. A good chiropractor can adjust her head. I know, strange. But it works. Through bumps and playing and what not it can off set the plates in her head. Yes, your skull is not just one big bone, it is several plates. When these plates are offset, it causes the sinus cavities to be closed up and not be able to drain properly. Again, I've had LIFE LONG issues with sinuses, I've found great relief with my chiropractor. I wish I had been to a chiropractor regularly as a kid ... I most likely wouldn't have had the issues I had, nor have to go through the surgery.

Some people just make a lot of mucus. I am one of those poeple. Ensuring it can drain properly is ESSENTIAL. Seeing a chiropractor reguarly is a key element to that end. Dr. Sears (www.askdrsears.com) a well respected pediatrician even recommends kids see a chiroprator. He mentions on his website kids who do seem to have fewer issues with sinus infectiosn and ear infections. It's because making sure the cavities can drain eliminates the pooling and the subsequent infection.

If the infection is draining, that is most likely causing her cough. Try running a vaporizer at night. The cough isn't necessarily a bad thing... it could mean things are clearing up.

In addition, you may want to take her to see an ENT to get this acute problem take care of and then follow the other steps to KEEP it away. Bottom line, the course of action being followed by the other doctor isn't working. You need to try something else.

Get this under control NOW. Find the SOURCE of hte problem. There is a REASON why your daughter is having these sinus issues. There is a ROOT CAUSE. You need to do everything you can to find that root cause and take steps to solve the problem. Otherwise, you can expect your daughter to be in and out of doctors all her life with these continuous issues. As I've said, I've had sinus issues all my life. You can bet I am doing everything I can to ensure my daughter doesn't have to walk the same road I have. It is NOT fun. Sinus problems affect your quality of life in many ways.

I hope you can help your daughter find relief. You are her only advocate. Doctors don't know everything. They are limited by their education and experience. One doctor may have had experience with something another hasn't. In addition, many doctors try to put everyone into a box of 'this is what should happen' instead of really looking at each individual case.

Good luck.

Did the ear infection go away? If not, I would question the antibiotic. Usually when an antibiotic does not work, doctors prescribe a different antibiotic, not the same one. I would suggest asking him why he didn't do this (maybe there was a good reason for it).

If the ear infection did go away, then I don't know if the doctor can do anything else for you. Sometimes it takes coughs a long time to clear up. My daughter was sick this year for 16 days with congestion and a cough and my son has been sick twice with a cough, this last one has been 19 days today. It seems to me that the cough is the last thing to go since it is due to irritation from drainage.

Of course, if she is still sick, you should tell the doctor.

I hope she gets better soon. I hope winter is over soon. If my kids get one more cold this winter I'm packing up and moving to the tropics.