Skip to content

Ear Action Plan

Now that the weather is turning colder and sniffles are being “shared” at school, it’s time to prepare ourselves for the dreaded resurgence in ear infections!

Over the holidays we receive many calls about what to do if you suspect your child has an ear infection after hours – Dr. Roy wrote an excellent article a few years ago addressing just that question!

Frequently, these phone calls involve (well-intentioned) parents asking us to call in antibiotics over the phone for a suspected ear infection.  While we understand the frustration of having to go to the physician (or find an urgent care while out of town), this is almost never a good idea.  A middle ear infection can only be diagnosed with an otoscope by an experienced clinician – it’s actually one of the most difficult skills residents must master during pediatric residency.  There are multiple other common causes for ear pain as well, such as otitis externa or “swimmer’s ear,” referred pain from swollen lymph nodes and sore throats, or a foreign body in the ear canal.

Also, believe it or not, most mild ear infections don’t heal any quicker with antibiotics than they would with a placebo!  For certain children (such as those older than age 2), the AAP even endorses a “wait and see” approach (warning, nerdy medical language inside!).  That being said, if your child is in significant pain or has a high fever, get them evaluated by an experienced clinician as soon as possible!