Do not Let Ear Infections In Children

Of the ten million antibiotic prescriptions for children's ear infections every year in America, about two-thirds were not needed. This is because 80% of cases of middle ear infections (often attacking small children), will disappear in a few days, and often mistakenly diagnosed.
In many cases, the most powerful way is to wait and to alleviate pain with acetaminophen drops painkiller (prescription), and compresses to the ear (with a washcloth soaked in warm water).
Beware if:

• The symptoms do not subside within 48 hours
• An ear infection occurs repeatedly
• Great pain, loss of appetite, or a child less excited when on the move
• Cigarette smoke exposure
• Children are in day care centers (children are more susceptible to colds and flu, which can trigger an ear infection)

If the child shows signs on top (under the age of two years), your doctor may prescribe antibiotics.
Prevention: The vaccine Prevnar, which can protect the body from bacteria trigger inflammation of the lining of the brain, also can 'fight' against seven strains of bacteria that cause ear infections. (Infants immunized four times, between the ages 2 to 15 months.) Since 2000, when the vaccine is recommended for infants in the United States, cases of ear infection rates decreased to 7%.