Sudden recurring ear infections in 4yo

[Anonymous]

4yo DD has had 3 ear infections in the last two months. She never had many as a baby (maybe 1 or 2 total until recently) so it seems really odd. Got antibiotics each time, and basically stuffed up cold each time as well. Per pediatrician visit, we know it cleared up at least once in between so it's not one long ear infection.

Anyone else been thru this? We will be going to an ENT but curious. I thought if tubes etc are needed it usually shows up when they are babies. And she went to daycare so has gotten colds and such since being an infant.

[Anonymous]

Is she vaccinated against Covid?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is she vaccinated against Covid?

Yes just got the vaccines this summer.

[Anonymous]

Had to get a second set of tubes at 4… I’d see what ENT says

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is she vaccinated against Covid?

Yes just got the vaccines this summer.

Hmmm.

It is unusual to get so many in a row when older.

My DD got a really bad one when she was in K, but it was only the one.

My only guess is maybe the positioning inside the ear has changed as she aged and it is causing the cold stuff to linger longer. I think the ENT will provide a lot of insight.

Hope she avoids any future ones!

[Anonymous]

My DD went to preschool last year as a 3 year old. She caught everything under the sun and had lots of colds with post nasal drips that turned into ear infections. She had 7 ear infections within a 4 month period. Most we treated, a few we did a wait and see on, and half were treatment resistant and had to up the medication combo to clear. We moved and got an ENT referral from her new pediatrician. Took three months to get appointment with specialist, during that time she had no ear infections. He said since she had not had any since mid summer and that she was now 4 to do a wait and see about tubes. Apparently the vast majority of kids age out of air infections at age 4. In our case he said if she has three between now and February, gauging the end of cold and flu season, then we can come back and talk about tubes but his guess is she would have them much less in frequently. And tubes will not be needed. We also had a hearing test done and she did not have any damage, which of course I was most concerned with.

Long winded way of saying that you could certainly ask for a referral to a specialist, but at least in my experience, age was the factor in deciding not to do tubes as we are hoping this series of infections are in the past as she grows out of it. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DD went to preschool last year as a 3 year old. She caught everything under the sun and had lots of colds with post nasal drips that turned into ear infections. She had 7 ear infections within a 4 month period. Most we treated, a few we did a wait and see on, and half were treatment resistant and had to up the medication combo to clear. We moved and got an ENT referral from her new pediatrician. Took three months to get appointment with specialist, during that time she had no ear infections. He said since she had not had any since mid summer and that she was now 4 to do a wait and see about tubes. Apparently the vast majority of kids age out of air infections at age 4. In our case he said if she has three between now and February, gauging the end of cold and flu season, then we can come back and talk about tubes but his guess is she would have them much less in frequently. And tubes will not be needed. We also had a hearing test done and she did not have any damage, which of course I was most concerned with.

Long winded way of saying that you could certainly ask for a referral to a specialist, but at least in my experience, age was the factor in deciding not to do tubes as we are hoping this series of infections are in the past as she grows out of it. Good luck!

Very interesting and helpful, thanks for sharing. 7 ear infections, your poor DD! Fingers crossed for a smooth winter ahead for her!
-OP

[Anonymous]

I do know it’s easier to get another ear infection if you’ve recently had one. it can take weeks for the fluid to clear so if you still have some fluid present then your next respiratory infection can more easily spread to ears. This may explain it. That plus so much going around. Obviously see the ENT, but that’s my guess.

[Anonymous]

Did she start swimming lessons perhaps?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Did she start swimming lessons perhaps?

This is OP but no. Did swimming in the summer (before all this started) but haven't recently.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I do know it’s easier to get another ear infection if you’ve recently had one. it can take weeks for the fluid to clear so if you still have some fluid present then your next respiratory infection can more easily spread to ears. This may explain it. That plus so much going around. Obviously see the ENT, but that’s my guess.

OP here and that's interesting.. definitely these colds have just been back to back all fall. Every week or two a new runny nose etc. I also think the fluid just isn't draining in between. We can't catch a break!

[Anonymous]

I had repeat ear infections from second hand smoke. Maybe she is sensitive to something in the environment. Does she mouth breathe at night? Mouth breathing causes the middle third of the skull to not develop properly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I do know it’s easier to get another ear infection if you’ve recently had one. it can take weeks for the fluid to clear so if you still have some fluid present then your next respiratory infection can more easily spread to ears. This may explain it. That plus so much going around. Obviously see the ENT, but that’s my guess.

OP here and that's interesting.. definitely these colds have just been back to back all fall. Every week or two a new runny nose etc. I also think the fluid just isn't draining in between. We can't catch a break!

Try a saline nasal wash a couple times a day.

[Anonymous]

As soon as my child at that age got ear tubes it stopped. She had to get a second set later, but it was a quick and easy procedure, relatively, and helped so much!

[Anonymous]

See the ENT, and consider tubes.