Baby with cronic(chronic) infection

I have a one year old son that has had 3 ear infections since Jan.  He was put on amoxil and had an allergic reaction so he has been taking omnicef.  The Dr told us this week that the omnicef has not done anything and that he was going to give him a round of antibiotic shots.  So far my son has had 2 of the 3 shots.  My first question is how quickly do these shots work?  My other question is: Is there some underlying problem that is causing these ear infections, something more serious?  He has not had any other type of infection i.e. strep throat, sinus , just ear infections.  My concern is that he has some type of immunodeficeny. I am looking for a little piece of mind.....

[shell1925]

Hi Liz!  Have you seen a pediatric ENT doctor yet?  My son had 3 infections in 4 months, all before he was 6 months old!!  He was on 3 different types of antibiotics and I had concern because as a yound child I had lots of ear infections and now I am immune to penicillin and amoxicillin.  He was referred to a pediatric ENT and they told me that any child that has 3 or more ear infections in a 6 month time or 6 or more in a 1 year period should get tubes in their ears.  My son got them just after he turned 6 months (He is 19 months now) and has only had 1 ear infection since.  

I have a family history of severe ear infections, my brother is legally deaf in his one ear due to an ear infection.  I would definetly consult with his pediatrician and see if you can get a referral for an ENT.  It has made a world of difference for my son.  

Good luck to you and your son and if you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask.  I have been there before!!

Shell

[Liz1027]

Thanks for your response.  I have an appointment with an ENT at the end of the month.  At his last ped appt they did mention tubes.  I am hoping that tubes won't be nessecary and that the shots will help but I think that he will end up with tubes.  He has just not been himself.  I thought the shot would be like a wonder drug and he would start being himself again right away.  He has been a little better but his appetite still is not normal and he is just plain cranky.  I cant tell if he is cranky from his legs hurting from the shots or because his ear still hurts or if it is the 2 teeth he has coming in.

[shell1925]

At first I didn't want him to get tubes either, but I think it is definetly better than him being on antibiotics constantly.  It is scary thinking about your little one having "surgery" but I think in the long run it will be best.  In terms of other things causing the infections, they drew blood to see if there were other problems, which there weren't.

I never really knew when he had an ear infection because he wasn't really cranky, he would just get a really bad cold.  They never mentioned any shots to me for him, just penicillin, amoxicillan, and omnicef.  When they didn't really work we agreed tubes would be best.  He has had 1 ear infection since then, and all I have to do is put drops in his ears, which won't make him immuned to antibiotics in the future.  

Is their anyway to push up the ENT appt.?  His pediatrician called in the appt. and we where seen within a week.  It is just an option for you to try.  I totally feel for you and wish you and the little guy lots of luck.