African American doctor looking into the ears of a young girl. Antibiotics are often prescribed for ear infections. Some times needlessly. This is part of the reason we have an antibiotic epidemic.
    Ear Infections and the Antibiotic Epidemic

    We?re finding more and more that the prolific prescription of antibiotics is not the panacea it was once thought to be. Not only do antibiotics disrupt healthy digestion, but overuse can even lead to …

    Clindamycin
    Clindamycin

    Clindamycin is strong antibiotic used to treat difficult bacterial infections in children. You might see a brand name such as Cleocin on the label. It comes as liquid or capsules, and is also availabl…

    Clarithromycin
    Clarithromycin

    Clarithromycin is an antibiotic used to treat many different types of bacterial infections in children. You might see a brand name such as Biaxin on the label. It comes as liquid, tablets, or extended…

    Amoxicillin
    Amoxicillin

    Amoxicillin is an antibiotic used to treat many different types of bacterial infections in children. It does not help in viral infections such as a cold or flu. It's often called "the pink stuff" or "…

    Cefdinir
    Cefdinir

    Cefdinir is an antibiotic used to treat many different types of bacterial infections in children. You might see a brand name such as Omnicef on the label. It belongs to the cephalosporin family of ant…

    Ceftriaxone
    Ceftriaxone

    Ceftriaxone is a broad spectrum antibiotic that can be given by injection. It's used to treat many different types of bacterial infections in children and is sometimes called by the brand name Rocephi…

    Cefuroxime
    Cefuroxime

    Cefuroxime is an antibiotic used to treat many different types of bacterial infections in children. You might see a brand name such as Ceftin on the label. It belongs to the cephalosporin family of an…

    Ear Drops for Some Ear Infections
    Ear Drops for Some Ear Infections

    If fluid from the middle ear space is draining out of the ear in a child with an acute ear infection (acute otitis media), there must be an opening in the eardrum - the air-tight membrane that separat…

    Ear Tubes and Hearing
    Ear Tubes and Hearing

    As many as 700,000 children each year in the United States have ear tubes placed surgically to treat chronic and recurrent fluid behind the ear drum (otitis media with effusion, or OME). A study in th…

    Antihistamines and Ear Infections
    Antihistamines and Ear Infections

    Dr. Greene's take on antihistamines for ear infections... Almost one in five clinicians will give a child an antihistamine or an antihistamine-containing cold medicine to give added relief to children…

    Preventing Ear Infections with Flu Vaccine
    Preventing Ear Infections with Flu Vaccine

    In stark contrast to some earlier studies, giving children flu vaccine does not help to prevent ear infections in young children, according to a large study published in the September 24, 2003 Journal…

    Home Treatment of Ear Infections
    Home Treatment of Ear Infections

    Ear infections are the number one reason that antibiotics are prescribed for children. But we know that 70 to 90 percent of kids with ear infections would recover well without antibiotics. The problem…

    Ear Tubes and Development
    Ear Tubes and Development

    We know that fluid behind the eardrum decreases hearing in children as long as it is present. We also know that the first 3 years of life are a very important time in a child's development. The questi…

    The Tubes Are In -- Now What?
    The Ear Tubes Are In — Now What?

    The American Academy of Pediatrics established in 2002 five guidelines for the care of children who have tympanostomy or ear tubes. The first guideline calls for a follow-up visit within the first mon…

    Ear Infections: Adding Up What We Know
    Ear Infections: Adding Up What We Know

    The results of the 74 randomized, controlled studies of ear infections published between 1966 and 1999 were analyzed and reported in the August 2001 issue of Pediatrics. About 78% of children with acu…

    An Alternative to Ear Tubes, Steroids, or Antibiotics
    An Alternative to Ear Tubes, Steroids, or Antibiotics

    Ear tube surgery is the most common operation performed on children. The most common reason for the surgery is to treat prolonged fluid in the ear (otitis media with effusion, or OME). An article in t…

    Ear Infections: Pain Drops Instead of Antibiotics?
    Ear Infections: Pain Drops Instead of Antibiotics?

    Many ear infections will get better on their own, with or without antibiotics. One problem with "watchful waiting" is that ear infections can really hurt -- especially at night. An article in the May …

    Beneficial Bacteria to Prevent Ear Infections?
    Beneficial Bacteria to Prevent Ear Infections?

    Dr. Greene's take on beneficial bacteria for ear infections... We know that active culture yogurt can prevent gastrointestinal infections. Could something similar work in the ears? (more…)…

    Earaches and Antibiotics
    Earaches and Ear Infections

    Dr. Greene on the difference between earaches and ear infections... Dear Dr. Greene, My name is Sharine, and our 5 year old son seems to get alot of ear infections. I'm just wondering if you can tell …

    Does This Child Have An Ear Infection? – Case 2
    Does This Child Have An Ear Infection? – Case 2

    A seven-month-old boy has had a cold for three days. Last night he woke up screaming, and remained irritable for several minutes even when he was picked up. He felt hot to the touch. This morning, he …