Progress Vs. Ear Infections
An experimental vaccine is showing promise for preventing childhood ear infections,
Infections of the middle ear, also called otitis media, are very common among young children in the first few years of life, Senay notes. They're responsible for millions of doctor visits each year, and many parents know all too well how much pain and discomfort such infections can cause for kids.
They can be caused by many different strains of bacteria that can invade the middle ear.
New research in The Lancet medical journal shows an experimental vaccine may help reduce ear infections by preventing infection by strains of H. influenzae and S. pneumonia bacteria.
Researchers from Czechoslovakia say the vaccine reduced ear infections by thirty percent in babies up to two-years-old who had been vaccinated in their first six months.
The vaccine wasn't effective against all strains of bacteria that cause ear infections, but experts say any significant reduction of such infections would be a welcome relief for a lot of kids. The new vaccine isn't approved yet by the Food and Drug Administration.
Although the current pneumococcal vaccine that infants routinely receive between two months and two years of age is effective against some of the bacteria that cause ear infections, it wasn't designed for that use. Still, according to a spokesperson for Wyeth, the manufacturer of the vaccine, it has been approved by the FDA to prevent ear infections. It also provides necessary protection against more serious bloodstream and meningitis infections caused by those bacteria.
Antibiotics are commonly prescribed for serious ear infections, Senay continues, and ear tubes are sometimes used for chronic infections to drain fluid buildup. Studies have shown that many milder ear infections get better on their own without the use of antibiotics. Current guidelines suggest a "watchful waiting" strategy for some children for two to three days to see if they get better without antibiotics. Overuse of antibiotics to treat ear infections is a concern, because it can contribute to drug-resistant bacteria, leaving some ailments difficult to treat.
Antibiotics are necessary for severe ear infections, especially acute cases with fever and severe pain.
If you think your child has an ear infection, ask your pediatrician or family care physician for guidance, and don't necessarily insist on a prescription for antibiotics. Partner with your doctor to get the right diagnosis and the right treatment. There are ear drops and over-the-counter treatments for the pain and discomfort of ear infections.