Flying out tomorrow-SICK kid advice needed!!

[heath dog]

I really needed some second and third opinions please. We are supposed to be leaving for WDW tomorrow. Our 10 month old son is sick. It is a cold but we just returned from the urgent care with him. The doc says he has a slight ear infection starting. His temp was 101. We are now starting amoxiciliian.

Does anyone have experience with this? My thought is stay home with him. My DH can't as we are going with a huge group of his family which we were the planners and he needs to be there. I could stay home the whole time or try to get a flight mid week but that might be impossibly expensive.

The doc said at first that he would go but then he said that he wouldn't go and that it wasn't worth it. I asked about damage to the ears in the plane and said that was a myth but I am not so sure.

HELP!

 

[JESW]

Oh no! Your poor little one! I don't know what to tell you, but after flying home from Disney with a 15 month old at the time with a double ear infection it wasn't a lot of fun. It's hard at that age since they can't tell you how they are feeling. Hopefully the amoxicillan works.

Good luck!!!

Jill

 

[Girls Scout Leader]

I may get blasted, but here goes..
I would go. Take his most comfortable clothes, playthings, and take it slow. Antibiotics are usually faster acting than ever before.
You may end up back at the hotel more often than others in the group, but you may be surprised how fast he bounces back. Just remember, take it easy, don't push.

 

[nealymouse]

No flames here. I agree with you, Kids bounce back so fast.

I would go

 

[Pembo]

Call your pediatrician on call and get a second opinon.
I'd also call the airline and see what they can do for you flying out later in the week. Good luck with whatever you decide. And I hope your little one feels better.

 

[Kallison]

My kids always felt immediately better after being on the amoxicillin. I would go, you can always sit in the room for a day or two at Disney if he doesn't feel well.

 

[DocRafiki]

It seems like I've heard some people say (possibly on here?) that it's painful to fly with an ear infection... not necessarily damaging like your Dr said, but it could make for a miserable flight. I don't personally have any experience with that. Good luck.

 

[kpgclark]

If you go, be sure to give him some decongestants. I think the pain sometimes comes from being all clogged up. I'd also call whoever is on call and see what they think. That's what they're there for. Maybe give him some of that night time cold stuff they sell over the counter.

 

[Robinrs]

Did you mention this to the physician? I remember my son getting better almost immediately after taking amoxycillin, it amazes me how quickly they recover.

Do check with the doctor if for nothing else, peace of mind.

Hope the little one feels better fast and have a great trip!

 

[mudnuri]

Boy, talk about a tough decision....on the one hand, it's probably just an ear infection....and the amoxi, should work quickly...

then on the other hand, could be the beginning of the flu, with the temp etc...but again, the amox should clear up any bacterial infection baby has..

My mother has ear problems, had the middle ear of her left ear removed about 15 years ago. I remember flying to San Antonio with her when I was in highschool, (only about 12 years ago)...and she had an ear infection.....was in excrusiating pain...nothing she did helped...now once we landed, she was 100% better, but the pressure from the cabin was enough to bring tears to her eyes.

If it was me, I'd probably cancel the trip, but I'd have bought travel insurance, so wouldnt be out much $$...

I'd have a low key christmas at home, and plan a new trip SOON


Brandy

 

[C.Ann]

I would stay home - for several reasons..

First of all, your child is already sick - which means lowered resistance - and while the antibiotic "may" work quickly, you don't really know that it will..

Ear infections can make for a very painful flight and it isn't uncommon for the first antibiotic NOT to take care of the problem right off the bat..

If your child should become sicker, you will be far from home and forced to take him to a strange hospital and a strange doctor..

And lastly, with your child's lowered resistance from already being sick, you have to worry about the possibility of exposing him to the flu.. My biggest concern in that regard would be in the airport and on the plane because as sure as I'm sitting here, you can BET that there are going to be inconsiderate people who have the flu, but want to get home for the holidays and won't think twice about all the other people they are going to expose in their travels.. Unfortunately, antibiotics are not effective in the treatment of the flu, so it really won't offer your son any protection..

I know it's a huge disappointment, but in this particular case, I would rely on an ounce of prevention rather than a pound of cure..

 

[LIDisneyFan]

If you choose to go, use Earplanes - you can get the in any drugstore. They can help relieve ear pressure - I'm an adult, and used them twice on transatlantic flights I needed to take while having ear infections.

 

[KarenC]

If you go and your baby won't tolerate the earplanes, ask the flight attendant for "ear cups". They put hot paper towels in the bottom of coffee cups and you hold them over the ears. It relieves the pressure.

DD has trouble with ears when she flies...I better remember to pick up ear planes before we go.

Good luck!

 

[kidzmom3]

here is some advice from webmd


Ear Infections

Home Treatment



Rest and care at home may be all that is needed to treat ear infections. Up to 80% of ear infections get better without treatment. If your child does not feel very ill and home treatment relieves the earache, you may choose not to seek treatment for the ear infection. See the When to Call a Doctor section of this topic.

Some home treatment measures include:

Using pain relievers. Pain relievers such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (Advil, Motrin, Naproxen) and acetaminophen (Tylenol) will help make your child more comfortable. A full dose of pain relievers before bedtime is especially important. Do not give aspirin to anyone under the age of 20 because its use in this age group has been linked to Reye's syndrome.
Applying heat to the ear, which may help relieve the earache. Use a warm washcloth or a heating pad. Do not allow your child to go to bed with a heating pad, because he or she could get burned. Use a heating pad only if your child is old enough to tell you if it is getting too hot.
Encouraging rest. Encourage your child to rest to let his or her body fight the infection. Arrange for quiet play activities.
Using eardrops. Doctors often prescribe pain-relieving eardrops for earache. Don't use eardrops without a health professional's advice, especially if your child has had tubes implanted in his or her ears. See the safest way to insert eardrops.
Decongestants, antihistamines, expectorants, and other nonprescription cold remedies usually are not effective in treating or preventing otitis media. Sedating antihistamines may thicken secretions and may actually make your child's condition worse.

If your child with an ear infection has to take an airplane trip, talk with your doctor about how to decrease the child's ear pain during the trip.

If your child does not improve after a couple of days of home treatment, call your doctor.

If your child has a ruptured eardrum, prevent water from getting into the ear canal until your doctor indicates the hole in the eardrum has healed. Ear molds are recommended as an extra precaution when swimming or bathing. A child with a ruptured eardrum may take a shower or bathe as usual, although his or her head should not be immersed. Swimming in pools is allowed, as long as the child uses ear molds. Swimming in rivers, lakes, or ponds is discouraged, because there may be harmful bacteria present.

Encouraging rest. Encourage your child to rest to let his or her body fight the infection. Arrange for quiet play activities", this advice might be hard to follow in WDW
"

 

[kidzmom3]

and some advice from babycenter.com



Question: My child has an ear infection -- is it safe to fly?

Answer: Your decision to fly depends on how serious the infection is. If your child has recently developed a bulging or acute infection, the pressure in his ears during takeoff and landing will make him very uncomfortable. Occasionally, a severe ear infection can cause the eardrum to burst. Antibiotics can usually bring ear infections under control within a day or two, and that extra time will make a huge difference in your child's comfort. If infection strikes within hours of your scheduled trip, I advise paying the fee to postpone your flight. Sparing your child unnecessary ear pain is well worth the delay.

After 24 to 48 hours on antibiotics, check for obvious signs of discomfort. If your child doesn't seem to be in pain and has no fever, he's probably ready to fly. An hour before takeoff, you can give him an infant's or children's antihistamine such as Benadryl. Just before the flight, you can give him saline nose drops to decrease congestion. If your child is uncomfortable during the flight, give him a child's pain reliever. Or you can have him suck on a bottle to help inflate the eustachian tube and lessen the pressure his ears. Child-sized earplugs can also help relieve discomfort by regulating changes in air pressure in your child's external ear

 

[lmj]

I definitely second the advice for earplanes. I am an audiologist and work for and ENT and we sell them in the office (They also are sold at drug stores). I have used them and they really make a big difference. They are ear plugs that look kind of spiralled. They help to keep the eustachian tube open so that the ear can adjust to changes in pressure easier. The pediatric ENT I work with said it was okay for my daughter to fly to Hawaii with a little bit of fluid in her ear. The infection in your son's ear should be under control but the fluid will still be there and make it uncomfortable during take off and landing. The ENT recommended I give her two drops of Afrin nasal spray one half hour before takeoff and landing and make sure she has plenty to drink for the whole ascent and descent. We flew to Hawaii and she did fine.

 

[palmtreegirl]

I would defintely go.

 

[heath dog]

You all are completely invaluable and amazing to me!!! Thank you a million times over!!!!!

We decided to go. We gave him an extra dose of antibiotic (according to nurse on call) a decongenstant and tylenol. His fever is going down and he seems to be sleeping comfortably.

Thank you again and although I know this is not life or death as some people are facing this holiday season, if you could spray a little pixie dust for us that would be great!!

 

[BriarfoxinWA]

another suggestion... my younger DS was very prone to ear infections. One of the docs at the ER gave me some ear drops that will actually help numb the ear canal. These worked great for me - might be worth trying to get some? Would certainly make your little guy more comfortable.