Forest of the Plains

Jacob was diagnosed with his first ear infection last week. It started with a week of severe congestion. He seemed a little better for a couple days, then got sent home from daycare for throwing up and a temp of 101.6F. Two days of fever and a birthday party later, Jacob was uncharacteristically grumpy, clingy, and had a diminished appetite.

Doctors are very hesitant to prescribe antibiotics for ear infections any more. Research has shown that about 80% of ear infections will resolve in one week, with or without antibiotics being administered. Jacob’s doctor is very stingy with his antibiotic prescriptions and he has a whole speech that he gives patients to support his stance. (I got to hear that speech at our first appointment, and I wasn’t even asking for antibiotics!)

Jacob walked away (well, was carried away) from his appointment last week with a prescription for amoxicillin. How did he manage that? He’d experienced symptoms for about a week, is under 2, was in pain, and his ear was “extremely red”. Also, he really screamed when the doctor was messing with his ear!

I got the prescription filled and gave Jacob his first dose in the car. I shook the bottle, opened the lid, and smiled. I recognized the smell of amoxicillin from my younger days, back when they handed out antibiotics like they were candy at a parade!