Advice please! Ear infection? Teething? *update*

[TwinFoxes]

So I decided to make an appointment after they woke up from their nap. S was a little fussy. The minute I hung up the phone she started screaming and didn't stop for the HOUR AND A HALF until we left for the doc. She cheered up for the car ride, and seemed happy in the waiting room, until she puked all over. She has an ear infection, and between our house and the peds she had developed a fever and wheeze. We had a nebulizer treatment which suh-ucked! They were worried it was RSV, and I had flashbacks to their preemie days when we didn't get to leave the house for almost a year because of fears of RSV (among other reasons.) Meanwhile, I was also trying to entertain my other DD who felt fine and was full of energy.

She actually seems a lot better now. But she has an "aero-chamber" that we have to use with an inhaler for a week.

I really appreciate everyone's advice. I don't think every ear infection needs to be checked out, but something seemed really off with her. And one thing all you moms have taught me is trust your instincts, so I did!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S had a mild cold this weekend. Clear runny nose, but otherwise fine. Last night she was coughing in her sleep, but slept fine. This morning she seemed fine, ate breakfast. But when we were all in the playroom she started crying and screaming out of the blue. She was pulling her ear. I do feel her canine tooth on that side just beneath the surface. She has no fever. Gave her Tylenol, and they are down for their nap. She is quiet. Should I go into the peds to check if she has an ear infection? DDs haven't been sick very much (knock on wood!) so I'm really at a loss. Oh, one more thing complicating my "diagnosis" is S is the dramatic sort anyway. So it's possible she's just loving the attention, but I think in this case she's truly not happy. Advice please?

[daisymommy]

Could be an ear infection, could be just a lot of pressure build up from the cold but no infection at all, and sometimes teething causes ear pain (strange but true). So, all in all, hard to tell. Was that helpful? Me personally--I would wait and see how she fees over the next several hours, see if she develops a fever (which often signals infection), and if the crying and ear tugging occur again, then I'd take her in.

FWIW...We use Simalson ear drops or Herbs for Kids with garlic and muelin in them, the bottles warmed up in a mug of water, to help soothe ear pain. I don't do antibiotics unless the ped. says it's a really bad infection and the child is crying a lot & really suffering.

[SnuggleBuggles]

I would have her ears checked. Ds2 just had his 2nd ear infection since Jan. 1 and the first one he didn't get a fever till he had already been showing other symptoms for a few days. The second time we were in for a re-check and there was an infection (same? new?) and again no fever. In other words, a fever isn't the best indicator. It was just the mood and eventual indicating towards the ear that confirmed t for me. I was on the alert b/c cold usually turn into EIs for him.

I hope she feels better!

Beth

[calv]

I think dr oz recommends witch hazel. if it bubles than it's an ear infection. use some lavendar. helps a lot.

another things is the hylands ear drops. wonderful product!

[Karenn]

I'd take her in to the ped. I finally got to the point that the $20 copay was worth it just so I didn't have to agonize all day about whether it was or wasn't an ear infection. With DD, it was almost always an ear infection, and she almost never had a fever. DD's ear infections were always like you described: mild cold, crying & coughing in the night. She'd be, OK, but maybe a little cranky during the day.

[dukie41181]

We use Wally's Ear Oil and it has garlic oil, tea tree oilm echineccea, etc. Its probably teething but you could use the ear oils/herbs and see if it helps. It surely won't hurt if its not an ear issue!

[HIU8]

Neither of my DC have ever run a fever with an ear infection. DD had one earlier this fall and I didn't even know it b/c she wasn't acting funny or anything. Ped found it at a routine visit.

[ThreeofUs]

Could be a lot of things. ITA: wait and see how she feels, if she shows more discomfort or screaming, take her in. Or just call the ped and see what she recommends.

[slworld]

DS had his first ear infection a few weeks ago & he didn't have any fever. He had this cough that just didn't seem to go away which was why I took him to the ped but they diagnosed the ear infection.

[TwinFoxes]

Update in first post...