Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners
Should I get a second opinion or push for a specialist referral regarding ear infection?
2.5 months ago my then 11-month-old son got an ear infection and antibiotics were prescribed. 2 wks later he had very high temperatures, the doctor found fluid in both ears and said it would take up to 30 days to heal, ear infection was still healing.
Another 1.5-2 wks later we went back to the doctor for his 12-month-old checkup and fluid was still there. The doctor prescribed antibiotics to help clear congestion but it didn't work. Another 2 wks passed and my son was very upset, his left ear was infected and right ear badly infected plus the fluid. More antibiotics were prescribed.
Another 1.5 wks later we went back as we saw no improvement, the doctor prescribed stronger antibiotics which helped slightly. Just under a week later I took him back, the ear infection had gotten a lot worse and the ears are still full of fluid. He is still very irritable and cranky today, 4 days later.
His weight percentile has dropped to the 5th from the 27th. He has had temperatures throughout. 5 lots of antibiotics, 10 doctors visits, cries and screams every day. What should I do?
