Family Forum / Parenting / Parenting / January 2006

Personally, I'd wait if she doesn't have a high fever or isn't
dehydrated.  

Nan

I wouldn't worry about waiting until tomorrow. See how her ears are tonight
then take her tomorrow. If she hasn't got a temperature at the moment it is
less likely that she has an ear infection, which looks like the worst you're
looking at. Unless her ears are bad they probably won't do anything ime so
it's really for your reassurance.
Doesn't sound like anything other than the usual winter ills.
Debbie

Usually ear infections follow a cold. The child seems to be recovering,
then the ears start hurting. It's because fluid builds up in the ear
during the illness, and later gets infected.

If it is just an ear infection, one day is not going to make a
difference, although she will get increasingly more uncomfortable,
because ear infections are quite painful. If tonight she complains
about her ears, has trouble sleeping due to ear pain, or spikes a
fever, you can give her Tylenol and/or Ibuprofen to ease the pain until
the doctor's visit. (We find ibuprofen tends to work best.)

And you don't always spike a fever with ear infections. My DD suffered
through many as a child, without always having a fever.

Does your doctor's office have a nurse you can call, so you can
describe the symptoms and ask her what you should do? That would be the
best strategy, IMO, and she can ask you  more detailed questions,
particularly about her temperature and that cough.

Bronchitis and pneumonia often follow a cold too - secondary infection
in the lungs. That would be more worrisome than an ear infection, but
she'd likely be spiking a fever and probably be more listless.

jen

As long as she isn't dehydrated I wouldn't worry at all about waiting until
tomorrow.  You might want to give her some motrin or something before bed
tonight if her ears hurt.

Not sure if the sitter has other kids, but I'd keep her home until I
was somewhat assured that she wasn't contagious.  I hate messing around
with ears, since they can get pretty painful.  I'd take her today being
the type that prefers to err on the side of paranoia.

I def. wouldn't go to the ER for a suspected ear infection. I'd give motrin,
maybe a warm compress and wait until tomorrow. There is no harm other than
discomfort in waiting and that can be minimized by the motrin. HTH

JennP.