Ear Infection Preaching Day

Okay everyone-here is my lecture on Ear Infections, the most popular antibiotic shoveled to your child.
Best Bet -Wait and See.
If your child has been DIAGNOSED with an ear infection they are one of 15 million kids out there.
It is the most common reason for them to get medication and that antibiotic's resistance is a health concern worldwide at this moment.
Whether you are a believer or not in the "waiting period", please try and read up on this or ask your dr for further information on the topic.
They will almost always prescribe, without a discussion of both sides.
The most important fact to know about this condition is that in most cases, 80% in fact, your child's infection will go away on it's own.
There was a study done in the Journal of American Medical Association.
In this study almost 2/3 of prescriptions were never filled that were urged to delay, while 9/10 parents who werent talked to about the "wait and see" filled the order.
The myth to all of this is your child needs this to kill the infection and relieve the pain.
No one wants their baby hurting, not being able to rest or sleep through the night. I don't either-duh.
But the answer most dr's give you isn't always the answer.
Feeling better and getting a good night sleep is in pain relieving medicine.
Most ear problems, have tag along symptoms like fever, headache and fussiness, we all know.
With ibuprofen or tylenol, you can get the achiness under control while letting their natural immunities take care of the rest.
Letting the antibiotic do it's work, will open the door to side effects like vomiting, diarrhea, and rashes but also adds another notch which is worse, future resistance to the drug.
Some day you may REALLY need it to work.
Even the AAP approved the wait strategy (years ago) for any child over 2, up to 72 hours, because most WILL cure themselves.
I don't want to debate what we all think is best, to each his own.
And of course, after the wait and see, if it's hasn't cleared, go for it.
In waiting you aren't DENYING anything, just holding off for a few days.
And for some, I understand that can be scary.
You rely totally on what your dr thinks is best, and you're now questioning what he's telling you to do.
This has just always worked in my house and I have read so much on it through the years.
I just wanted to share my thoughts to anyone that may have
not known or experienced it before.
Knowledge is power :)
Hugs!