Ear Infection Superbug

[Ceres]

http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/news/story.html?id=8f71511f-f8ef-42af-b61e-fbae37cec402&k=35475

A new superbug that causes acute ear infections in children has emerged that is immune to all antibiotics currently approved for children.


If an ear infection doesn't improve after two back-to-back courses of antibiotics, "a light bulb should go off that maybe it's a superbug and maybe we need to have our child get an ear tap [where fluid is drained from the middle ear] and the sample sent to evaluate whether it's a superbug requiring special treatment," Dr. Pichichero says.


"We need to alert doctors across North America that the possibility exists for a superbug," says Dr. Michael Pichichero, a professor of microbiology, immunology and pediatrics at the University of Rochester.

"We worried that it could happen. Now we're telling doctors it has happened and they need to look for it in their own communities."

[Amilee]

I`m severly suceptable to ear infections. That scares me a little! Eek!

[Autumn]

Well I have questions!

Is strep 19A the same as what's causing menengitius? Next is this Ear tap thing (I'm assuming it involves using a needle to access and culture the fluid behind the eardrum) a test that can be done by a pediatrician or does it require an ENT? Would a blood culture or a throat culture suffice?

Not a question now, but a statement. For quite a few years now my pediatrician has only monitored fluid behind the eardrum, treating only if it becomes inflamed or the child is otherwise symptomatic. This should be standard practice! If you're getting antibiotics for fluid behind the eardrum question it!! For all our children!

[Lunacie]

It is possible? My daughter has been battling ear and sinus infection for several months. She has had at least 4 courses of antibiotics, two were back-to-back, and the infection has not gone completely away. It gets better and then it 'attacks' her again. She hasn't had any serious ear pain with this, but a continual sense of fullness in her ears and recurring fever and occasional dizzyness. Hmmm.

[Ravenna Angellin]

This is what happens when we don't question the care given to our children. I've been lucky so far, that my boys are relatively healthy, and that our pediatritions have all been really awesome about not over medicating.

Aiden has needed antibiotics only 2 times in his life. Once for pneumonia, and the second for a serious blood infection, and that actually required the "mega-antibiotic shot". Finn has not as of yet required antibiotics. We believe that medications are for when you actually need them. Unlike my boys' paternal grandfather who freaks out at ever cough and sniffle and insists that I rush them in to the doctor. Nope. Not necessary, just wastes my time, and the doctors' time. It's a cold. A virus. Antibiotics will not do anything for a cold.

Ugh. This is scary. It means that even though I've not over-medicated my children... if they ever wind up needing them, the usual round of stuff will not work for them.

~ Ravenna

[Autumn]

This is what happens when we don't question the care given to our children. I've been lucky so far, that my boys are relatively healthy, and that our pediatritions have all been really awesome about not over medicating.

Aiden has needed antibiotics only 2 times in his life. Once for pneumonia, and the second for a serious blood infection, and that actually required the "mega-antibiotic shot". Finn has not as of yet required antibiotics. We believe that medications are for when you actually need them. Unlike my boys' paternal grandfather who freaks out at ever cough and sniffle and insists that I rush them in to the doctor. Nope. Not necessary, just wastes my time, and the doctors' time. It's a cold. A virus. Antibiotics will not do anything for a cold.

Ugh. This is scary. It means that even though I've not over-medicated my children... if they ever wind up needing them, the usual round of stuff will not work for them.

~ Ravenna

Not all bugs are superbugs, it's entirely possible that a simple antibiotic will still work and should always be tried first before the big guns are hauled out. I've rejected drugs like keflex for my self and my kids at times saying bluntly "can we try something like penicillin or erethromycin first?" I've had some funny looks but I have never had the older drugs fail especially when it was a "precautionary" step.

I've started more than one visit to a doctor with the statement "I'm not so much looking for an antibiotic as making sure it's nothing too serious." If you say that you're less likely to get an unneeded antibiotic and more likely to get the reasons why an antibiotic is warrented (when they are).

[Ariste]

It is possible? My daughter has been battling ear and sinus infection for several months. She has had at least 4 courses of antibiotics, two were back-to-back, and the infection has not gone completely away. It gets better and then it 'attacks' her again. She hasn't had any serious ear pain with this, but a continual sense of fullness in her ears and recurring fever and occasional dizzyness. Hmmm.

Uh that sounds more like her sinuses are closed and can't drain. I had to have surgery when I was 14 to open mine. If she still isn't getting better ask for a referal to a ENT specialist and ask about catscans or mris to see exactly whats going on in there.

[Agaliha]

I`m severly suceptable to ear infections. That scares me a little! Eek!

Me too!
I get outer ones all the time! Which can be very painful and annoying.
So much so that I became allergic to the neomycin antibiotic drops I've had to use (over the last 8 years). I have to use hydrocortizone and acetic acid ones now (still Rx). Anyway, I hope I don't get any super-bug.

[wolfjan1]

Remember the MRSA bulletins that were coming out? It wouldn't hurt to get yourelves and your kids noses swabbed for that bad bug. It is spreading rapidly amoung the communities here and everywhere, and it is NASTY bug. The proper name is Methicillin RESISTANTstaffilycaucos(sp) Aureus. Teach yourselves and your children GOOD HANDWASHING!And don't forget to wash your baby's hands at every opportunity. Ten second under the warmest water that you or your baby can stand, with a good soap.
Before and after cooking, cleaning and bathroom duty.
Blessings all,
Janice

[Lunacie]

Uh that sounds more like her sinuses are closed and can't drain. I had to have surgery when I was 14 to open mine. If she still isn't getting better ask for a referal to a ENT specialist and ask about catscans or mris to see exactly whats going on in there.

That would be a good idea if she had health insurance to help pay for all that.

[Agaliha]

That would be a good idea if she had health insurance to help pay for all that.

If you don't have insurance you don't need a referral to see a specialist. I don't have insurance and I go to which ever specialist I need to see and which ever will take me. Many have discounts if you pay up front. Many take non-insured people. I found one some miles away, that took me (ENT). I have to go back there soon. I only paid $101 for the visit-- that's not a lot. I have chronic ear infections, tinnus, dysphagia and TMJ issues he deals with.

You might also look into state health care for you and/or your kids if you haven't already. If you are making a certain amount of money you can probably qualify.

In the future I might have to be getting an EEG and MRI/CAT scan to see if I'm having simple partial seizures (little did I know many of my problems over the last 2 plus years could have been SPS)-- I have to see a neurologist sometime next month (lucky there's two in the system, that'll take cash and discounts). If I can't pay for it, the hospitals/offices where I live offer "charity" reduction of bills (if you qualify it's basically for free-- and in time I'll have no money and I'll no doubt qualify) and the discounts (I pay cash up front and get a 58% discount--so a $90 appt is only $58)-- but it's a Catholic affiliated system (for the greater Tacoma area) and not all places do this. You might want to see if you have a religious affiliated system available where you live, they're more forgiving of these things and they don't turn anyone away regardless of lack of money.

When it comes to the ears and if she's having persistent issues, it might be a good idea to seen an ENT.

She hasn't had any serious ear pain with this, but a continual sense of fullness in her ears and recurring fever and occasional dizzinessWould make me wonder and want to see a specialist.
It might be worth the money-- and often you don't need an MRI or CAT scan. A specialist looking in the ears really well can clear things up. Or that device that measures the waves as they hit the eardrum-- very simple test-- might.
There are things that if not treated can cause damage.

[Ariste]

yeah, but alot of times when the sinuses can't drain normally they drain to the ears, so that could be causing it.

[Lunacie]

If you don't have insurance you don't need a referral to see a specialist. I don't have insurance and I go to which ever specialist I need to see and which ever will take me. Many have discounts if you pay up front. Many take non-insured people. I found one some miles away, that took me (ENT). I have to go back there soon. I only paid $101 for the visit-- that's not a lot. I have chronic ear infections, tinnus, dysphagia and TMJ issues he deals with.

You might also look into state health care for you and/or your kids if you haven't already. If you are making a certain amount of money you can probably qualify.

In the future I might have to be getting an EEG and MRI/CAT scan to see if I'm having simple partial seizures (little did I know many of my problems over the last 2 plus years could have been SPS)-- I have to see a neurologist sometime next month (lucky there's two in the system, that'll take cash and discounts). If I can't pay for it, the hospitals/offices where I live offer "charity" reduction of bills (if you qualify it's basically for free-- and in time I'll have no money and I'll no doubt qualify) and the discounts (I pay cash up front and get a 58% discount--so a $90 appt is only $58)-- but it's a Catholic affiliated system (for the greater Tacoma area) and not all places do this. You might want to see if you have a religious affiliated system available where you live, they're more forgiving of these things and they don't turn anyone away regardless of lack of money.

When it comes to the ears and if she's having persistent issues, it might be a good idea to seen an ENT.
Would make me wonder and want to see a specialist.
It might be worth the money-- and often you don't need an MRI or CAT scan. A specialist looking in the ears really well can clear things up. Or that device that measures the waves as they hit the eardrum-- very simple test-- might.
There are things that if not treated can cause damage.

Thank you. In my experience it's hard to get in to see a specialist if you don't have a referral from your family doc. But it seems it would be a good thing for her to check out.

She makes too much money to qualify for state aid, but her daughter's both get state health insurance. For which we are all very grateful indeed.

She has a bad credit rating with the Catholic hospital/clinic here. Because of her hubby's bad money management they had to file for medical bankruptcy after her second daughter was born and they weren't able to pay the hospital, clinic or doctor's bills. But there at least a couple of other options in a city this size I would think.

[Lunacie]

yeah, but alot of times when the sinuses can't drain normally they drain to the ears, so that could be causing it.

That happened to her daddy more than once. Ah, genetics. http://www.mysticwicks.com/images/icons/icon9.gif