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Suggest Treatment For Ear Infection And Fever
Have had an ear infection since sunday 2nd October and prescribed Otomize spray on 3rd October. Two days later my ear was worse and i had a fever of 39.8c dr then prescribed Flucloxacillin 500mg 4x daily and still my symptoms are nit improving. This is my eighth ear infection of this kind since February and i am concerned I may be becoming immune to treatment.
posted on
Sun, 9 Oct 2016
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Fri, 4 Nov 2016
Answered on
Fri, 4 Nov 2016
Last reviewed on
Hi there,
It is unlikely that you will get immune to the treatment, because the antibiotics work based on the type of bacteria that has caused the infection. It is probably simply that you caught a stronger bacteria this time, and the doctor was right to start with more targeted antibiotics. In fact this reduces the risk of building superbugs that are resistant to treatment. If you are still unwell after three days of the new antibiotics, then perhaps it is time to step up to something different like cefuroxime or cefixime.
Regarding the ear infections being so frequent, we have to look at the root cause of it. If it is a middle ear infection, they are usually caused by a blocked Eustachian tube that is supposed to equalise pressure in the middle ear. This can be due to common colds, or allergies if happening often.
Treat colds early with antihistamines like cetirizine or loratadine, and if it is an allergy, discuss with your doctor about controlling it with long term nose sprays.
If it is an outer ear infection that has gone rogue, then be careful with getting water or soap in when showering. Use earplugs or caps when you swim, and don't ever use cotton buds to clean the inside of your ears. Just wipe the outer ear clean with a towel.
Hope this helps.
Regards,
Dr. Teh
It is unlikely that you will get immune to the treatment, because the antibiotics work based on the type of bacteria that has caused the infection. It is probably simply that you caught a stronger bacteria this time, and the doctor was right to start with more targeted antibiotics. In fact this reduces the risk of building superbugs that are resistant to treatment. If you are still unwell after three days of the new antibiotics, then perhaps it is time to step up to something different like cefuroxime or cefixime.
Regarding the ear infections being so frequent, we have to look at the root cause of it. If it is a middle ear infection, they are usually caused by a blocked Eustachian tube that is supposed to equalise pressure in the middle ear. This can be due to common colds, or allergies if happening often.
Treat colds early with antihistamines like cetirizine or loratadine, and if it is an allergy, discuss with your doctor about controlling it with long term nose sprays.
If it is an outer ear infection that has gone rogue, then be careful with getting water or soap in when showering. Use earplugs or caps when you swim, and don't ever use cotton buds to clean the inside of your ears. Just wipe the outer ear clean with a towel.
Hope this helps.
Regards,
Dr. Teh
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