Can a pharmacist diagnose an ear infection in a child

Question

My boy has had a fever since Wednesday at noon! However, the fever is decreasing on its own and we are now at 24 hours without fever! My boy is 18 months old and holds his ear at times! The more the fever goes down the less discomfort he seems to have. I don't want to miss anything though. thank you so much! Thank you very much for your advice. First experience with this site and I am very satisfied.

David Tan · Accepted Answer

Hello, Unfortunately, the diagnosis of an ear infection is still reserved exclusively for doctors (and for "super" specialized nurses who can diagnose under the responsibility of a doctor) That said, some ear infections may be viral in nature or may affect the outer portion of the ear. If this is the case, there are measures or treatments that can be given over the counter. On the other hand, an otitis media (more internal) otherwise requires an antibiotic that only a doctor can prescribe. If you would like us to help you determine if a medical consultation is really necessary, provide us with specific details about the symptoms and we can help you. Sincerely, David Tan, pharmacist Re-bonus, Check to see if the pain in his ear increases when you pull the lobe back and when he opens his jaw. If the pain intensifies with these two actions, then it is likely that he has an "external" ear infection, so you may want to try Polysporin type antibiotic drops at a rate of 4 drops in the affected ear 4 times a day for 4 to 5 days . This type of drop is usually held behind the counter in pharmacies, but can be obtained without a prescription. You can also supplement with Tempra/Tylenol (acetaminophen) or Advil/Motrin (ibuprofen) for pain relief. If the pain does not change with these two actions, then it is possible that he is suffering from an "otitis media" and the drops will unfortunately not reach the site of the infection. In this case, a consultation with a doctor or pediatrician should be considered The decrease in fever is nevertheless a good sign, so if you see that his symptoms continue to improve, you could continue to wait a few days before seeing a doctor, as some ear infections can be viral (rather than bacterial) in origin. I hope this sheds some light on the subject... If there is anything else, contact me again and I will be happy to answer. Sincerely, David Tan, pharmacist