The Bottom Line: How well Does Observation Work?
    The Bottom Line: How well Does Observation Work?

    Investigators have compared matched children with acute, red hot ear infections who were treated initially with observation (including earache relief) and those who were treated initially with antibio…

    What is The Definition of an Ear Infection?
    What is The Definition of an Ear Infection?

    Fluid must be present in the ear, behind the eardrum, for there to be an ear infection (what doctors call otitis media). The tiny eardrum is a sensitive structure, and can hurt for many reasons: inclu…

    The Diagnosis Secret
    The Diagnosis Secret

    If your little girl has a stuffy nose, a slight fever, and wakes up crying, tugging on her ear, and saying, "My ear hurts!" ? then she may have an acute ear infection. But it is almost as likely that …

    What Does Observe Mean?
    What Does Observe Mean?

    Ask your doctor if the observation option is appropriate for your child. It's the best option for many children, even many of those with red hot ear infections. (more…)…

    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…

    Antibiotic Use Dropping
    Antibiotic Use Dropping

    Antibiotic use in children increased steadily through the 1970's, 1980's and early 1990's, and dangerous antibiotic-resistant bacteria increased as well. Researchers at Harvard University looked at re…

    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…

    Big News: Reflux and Ear Infections? !!!
    Big News: Reflux and Ear Infections? !!!

    Chronic ear infections are a frustrating problem for many young children. A study published in the February 9, 2002 issue of The Lancet suggests a dramatic new approach to dealing with ear infections.…

    Single-Dose Antibiotic Approved for Ear Infection Treatment
    Single-Dose Antibiotic Approved for Ear Infection Treatment

    While some children take medicines without a problem, many parents find it a struggle to get their children to take medicine -- if the parents even remember each dose. Common antibiotic regimens can r…

    Kids Feel Pain!
    Kids Feel Pain!

    The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the American Pain Society have issued a September 2001 policy statement calling for pediatricians to respect and manage the pain that children feel from in…

    Watch and Wait for Ear Infections?
    Watch and Wait for Ear Infections?

    Avoiding complications from spreading bacteria is one of the most important reasons to treat ear infections with antibiotics. Mastoiditis, an infection of the skull bone behind the ear, is the most co…

    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…

    Herbal Drops For Earaches - When?
    Herbal Drops For Earaches – When?

    Ear infections can hurt! Topical drops can ease the pain while waiting for antibiotics to take effect or while watching to see if antibiotics are necessary. A study in the July 2001 issue of the Archi…

    Steroids for Ear Infections?
    Steroids for Ear Infections?

    Fluid in the ear behind the eardrum is the most common cause of new or temporary hearing loss in children. Sometimes doctors prescribe steroid nasal sprays or even oral steroids in an effort to get ri…

    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…)…