196 why children lose their hearing and what we can do
Other treatments for sudden (acute) ear infections
If the child is allergic to penicillin or the treatment is not working:
• give co-trimoxazole (trimethoprim + sulfamethoxazole)
by mouth, for 3 to 10 days.
age 6 weeks to 5 months ������������������ 120 mg, 2 times a day
age 6 months to 5 years ������������������� 240 mg, 2 times a day
age 6 to 12 years ������������������������������� 480 mg, 2 times a day
or
• give cefuroxime by mouth, for 5 days.
age less than 2 years ������������������������� 125 mg, 2 times a day
age more than 2 years ���������������������� 250 mg, 2 times a day
or
• give cefaclor by mouth, for 3 to 10 days.
age 1 to 12 months ��������������������������� 62.5 mg, 3 times a day
age 1 to 5 years ��������������������������������� 125 mg, 3 times a day
age more than 5 years ���������������������� 250 mg, 3 times a day
or
• give erythromycin by mouth, for 3 to 10 days.
age less than 2 years ������������������������� 125 mg, 4 times a day
age 2 to 8 years ��������������������������������� 250 mg, 4 times a day
age more than 8 years ���������������������� 250 to 500 mg, 4 times a day
If there is fluid draining from the ear, wipe it away, but do not stick
anything in the ear to clean it. Encourage the child to rest and drink
a lot of liquids. The child can bathe, but should not put his ears under
water or swim for at least 2 weeks after he is well.
If you think the child may have a complication, take him to a hospital.
If you suspect meningitis, give medicine immediately (see page 204).
To treat long-lasting or repeated (chronic) ear infections
(discharge for 2 weeks or more)
• Give antibiotic ear drops for 1 week (2 to 3 drops, 3 times
a day) such as ciprofloxacin, framycetin, gentamicin,
gramicidin, neomycin, polymyxin B, or ofloxacin.
Sometimes it helps to give an antibiotic by mouth at the same time as the ear
drop. Use the same antibiotic as for sudden ear infection (see page 195).
Antibiotic drops should not be used for longer than 10 days, or repeated
frequently, as they can cause hearing loss themselves. But chronic ear
infections are more likely to cause hearing loss than antibiotic drops.
Helping Children Who Are Deaf (2004)