Ear infections are the number one reason why kids have to go to the doctor and have to take antibiotics under the age of two. Some ear infections are caused by a strain of strep bacteria that can also cause pneumonia, meningitis and deadly blood infections like sepsis.
In 2000, babies started getting a vaccine to help prevent these infections. It's called Prevnar, and the Centers for Disease Control says it has prevented thousands of infections, even deaths. Prevnar prevents seven of the most common strains of streptococcus pneumonia.
When our kids get sick, we want a quick fix. The first thing we often tell the doctor is to give them an antibiotic. Not every illness can be cured with an antibiotic. And these drugs, when overused, may be hurting more than helping.
Dr. Molly Hughes is a pediatrician at Westside Pediatrics. “What people don't realize is that when you say you have streptococcus pneumonia, which is one bug, there are 90 different types of that particular germ."
Well one of these types, Strep 19A is not prevented by Prevnar. 19A caused many recent ear infections and all the medications approved for children won't kill it. So kids with this strain of ear infection had to get ear tubes or take an antibiotic not tested on children.
Researchers say the best way to prevent these resistant infections from spreading is to be careful about how we use antibiotics.
Dr. Nancy Bennett is deputy director of the Monroe County Health Department. “The most important fact is that there are two ways to become ill -one is with a bacteria and one is with a virus. And they are very different. And we don't have good treatment for viruses. Antibiotics only treat bacterial illnesses."
One of the most common viruses is a cold. Upper respiratory infections are often viral. Only time, not antibiotics will help them go away. Getting the Prevnar vaccine does not make children more prone to this antibiotic-resistant strain of strep. Doctors are urging parents to get their children vaccinated because Prevnar has helped prevent so many infections.
Dr. Hughes says doctors like her understand that parents are under a lot of pressure. The kid is sick, you have to take off work and you want something to make them better. The doctor has tools to determine if an antibiotic will help. He or she can test for strep, look for an ear infection, hear pneumonia in the lungs.
While waiting may be the hardest thing with viruses, it may be the best medicine.