Personal stories from parents whose children had ear infections

These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions.

Maureen, age 33: My daughter, Biba, is a wonderfully robust 4-year-old. When she complained of an earache after a cold, we visited our doctor. She told us the ear infection would probably go away on its own, so I decided not to fill the prescription my doctor gave me then. The doctor said to give Biba pain relief medication for the next few days and if she didn't improve in 2 days that I should fill the prescription and have Biba take the antibiotics. Biba stayed home from school for 1 day, but she felt better the next. Best of all, she didn't have to take antibiotics.

Renee, age 35: My son, Rashad, has had so many ear infections. He really suffers with them. When the doctor said that I could wait to see if it would clear up, I thought that he would probably need antibiotics anyway, so why wait?

Briana, age 41: I am very concerned about bacteria that are not affected by antibiotics. My friend's child had to take very strong antibiotics to cure his ear infection. When my son, Maury, got an ear infection, I waited to see if he would improve. But he still had an earache after 2 days, so I decided to go ahead and have him take antibiotics.

Cecelia, age 22: I am a working single mother with three kids. I don't have time to stay home and see if my son, Darrell, will get better. I need the fastest and most certain cure. So I decided he should take the antibiotics now.