During the course of the study, the number of complications from ear infections increased and the age of patients decreased. Patients' ages ranged from 61 days to 52 years, but the average was 10 years. Thirty-seven percent of patients in the study were younger than two years old. Each year, about 13 million children under age five suffer an acute ear infection. Although most of those infections are bacterial, they usually do not require the use of an antibiotic, but do take about a day longer to clear up without a prescription, Antonelli said.
Physicians have to be more selective about offering antibiotics to children.
It shouldn't be for a runny nose or a low-grade fever, he said. Giving antibiotics for recurring ear infections as a prophylactic works for a while, but then bacteria can become more resistant and harder to treat. To decrease the chances of a child getting complicated ear infections, Antonelli recommended breastfeeding, avoiding exposure to tobacco smoke and using daycare with groups of less than six children. If an antibiotic is prescribed, the whole course should be completed to ensure the bacteria is killed. Hospitals do have certain antibiotics they hold in reserve to treat resistant bacteria.