Ear Infection (Part II)

A visit to the ENT confirmed a redness in his eardrums. The diagnosis is done with the help of a tiny camera inserted into the ear. The doctor also confirmed it’s not a swimmer’s ear where the canal (from ear drum to outer ear) is dry.

The doctor prescribed Zyrtec and Augmentin (antibiotics) to help clear the Eustachian tube. Unfortunately, this did not go down too well for Max. For over the next few days, he has severe diarrhoea and purging. He has described his tummy as, “…like a washing machine, it’s churning!” He felt nauseous and vomited. He emptied his stomach's content in his bed 2 nights in a row. While his ears were healing well, his gastrointestinal tract was in quite bad shape.

He has poor appetite, soiled his briefs because he couldn’t reach the bathroom on time and lost 2kg in weight. He called me to pick him up from school while lessons were on…sigh!...he missed a few days lessons. Never mind that but his self-esteem has taken a bad knock, he lost control of his bowel movements! It is embarrassing to soil his briefs at his age! :-(

Over this period, we ensured that he is not dehyderated, gets a good balance of fluid and mild juices and his electrolyte drinks. As his paediatrician had previously advised, the situation can be helped with replenishment of gut/intestinal flora with good & friendly bacterias to restore normal bowel functions.

He’s smiling again when he saw his favourite Yakult!

  

His paediatrician has given the go-ahead for 2-3 small bottles a day till his bowel functions normalises. That really brought a big smile in the otherwise glum face! Poor kid! Sigh!

These juvenile illnesses suffered by young ones really tear at their Mommies’ hearts! But it’s part of growing up…

Ear Infection (Part I)

Max is very prone to middle-ear infection.

I found him curled up on the sofa, faced flushed, forehead warm to the touch and moaning of pain his left ear. He was having a stuffy nose (runny nose). His lips were bright shade of red. Sigh! Ear infection again!

This time, I quickly took him to his paediatrician who gave the expected diagnosis. His paediatrician prescribed Sedilix and Progesic for his throat/nose and pain. I like this paediatrician who does not prescribe antibiotics unless very necessary. It is important to stay with the same medical practitioner, that is if you are comfortable and satisfied with him/her over the years.

When the pain persisted after five days, I decided to take him to an ENT specialist. Now this may seem like “…do u need a specialist for an infection! 8-0” We thot it may be a good time to establish a relationship (@..@) with an ENT doc since the little guy is so prone to ear infection and we wanted to get him assessed. He seems to be getting ear infection once a year and each time it happens, his hearing is affected. It will definitely affect his lessons because recovery may take 2-8 weeks!

(chart featured in MyChildHealth)

Meantime, his class teacher was kind enough to ensure he is seated right in front of her and also notify the rest of his other teachers, of his medical condition till recovery.

We have always made sure that he drinks plenty of water but while he is in school…he may have forgotten. We also ensure his diet has less of fried or deep-fried food, make sure he eats plenty of fresh fruits and avoids getting a cold.

So, it is a very good practice to get small children to have a habit to drink plenty of water throughout the day.

If you have toddlers or young children, you may want to read up to keep informed.

Here are some informative sites:

My ChildHealth

Kids Health

Baby Center