Q: Is it better to treat my toddler's ear infection with antibiotics or see if it gets better on its own?
A: I am so glad parents are asking this question. It tells me that they are aware of the risks of overusing antibiotics. The answer? It depends. If the child is younger than 2 years old, has a high fever, is in severe pain, or has underlying chronic medical problems, I usually recommend starting antibiotics. But about 80% of ear infections will heal without an antibiotic. So please don't demand them. I know it's tempting, especially if your child is miserable and you've taken the morning off from work to visit the doctor. But using antibiotics unnecessarily not only exposes your child to possible side effects from the medication but also encourages antibiotic-resistant bacteria strains, which are becoming a deadlier problem every year in the United States. Besides, even kids who are taking an antibiotic for an ear infection will often feel a lot better in 24 hours because of the pain medication I've suggested, not because of the antibiotic, which is just starting to work at that point. So if your child is otherwise healthy, try treating the ear infection with pain medication only, and schedule a follow-up appointment in 2 to 3 days. But that follow-up appointment is a must, because 20% of ear infections will not heal on their own and could lead to a hearing problem or other complications.
