[mum2jp]

*update* 22/2

Took DS back to the gp today as his temp is up again and he has been on antibiotics for three days now. So his tonsillitis is clearing but he now has an ear infection in BOTH ears that has developed while on the medication. So gp has swapped medications and started him on another course of antibitoics. This is just crazy . On a positive note i asked about the ENT and gp agreed it would be worth review, so i have a letter and just rang. The have an apointment avaliable march 14th so hopefully we get somewhere then because i can't keep pumping him full of anitbiotics, panadol and nurofen. It really worries me how much medication and how often he is having it. Thanks for the advice.

Original post below:

How often is normal for kids to have them. DS is 2 and is always getting sick. This year already he has had an ear infection and is on his second bout of tonsillitis. We are onto our third course of antibiotics and February hasn't even finished yet. He saw an ENT when he was 12 months old because he had recurrent ear infections from about 5 months but she said his ears were ok. I really don't like giving him so much antibiotics and have raised my concerns with the GP who said he is fine and these are common illnesses in young children. I feel so bad for him, he always gets really bad temps with them so he feels crap for days. We would honestly easily have at least 10 courses of antibiotics a year maybe even more I lose count. Is this normal or even ok to have so much?

Edit to add update to original post

This post has been edited by mum2jp: 22/02/2013, 11:22 AM

[nlman]

I would be taking him back to the ENT or getting a referral to another. That doesn't fit within bounds of normal for me.

Both of my children have had grommets and one has had her adenoids out. The best thing we have ever done!! One they had grommets in, the ear infections stopped.

[Jenflea]

Honestly, it sounds excessive to me to be sick THAT much. It's also a lot for young child to cope with and would possibly affect his walking and balance etc so I'd be going back or seeing a diff doctor.
I was told 4 or 5 colds a YEAR is normal, but AB's 10 times in a year is an awful lot.
how were his ears checked? My DD had a hearing check which used a machine to test the ear drum and check for glue ear etc. If the ENT just looked it may not have been a good enough examination. But I'm no expert!

[mum2jp]

Yes she only looked in his ears she didn't use any kind of machine. I think i will make another appointment with the ENT. If I have gone once with an original referral can I call and make another appointment directly or do I need another referral?

[Carmen02]

you can just call and make another appointment, but to be honest ill be looking for another one!! If your in melb I have a fantastic one..good luck it sounds like something should be done to help!! my 2yr old had grommets in the day after his birthday

[ziggy72]

We suffered through constant illness, high temps accompanying a "throat infection' AKA tonsilitus for several winters. He had an OK year (ie. only 5-6 doses of ABX) so when we saw ENT and he offerred to remove tonsils and adenoids due to breathing issues at night we hesitated. Next winter 5 bouts of tonislitus/scarlett fever between Aug and Nov and we were done. GP said it was a good decision as he had dropped from 75% to 25% in height and that is a common occurance. Poor thing couldn't sleep due to enlarged tonsils even when not sick and barely ate as it always hurt.

It was the best thing we ever did. Since then (2yrs) has had 1-2 cold in total and a temp of 38.2 once.

[hodgepodge]

You need another ENT!

My DS was getting ear infections/tonsillitis a few times a year so no alarm bells rang.
We noticed his hearing was deteriorating and his snoring increased at around 4 and a half. A hearing test showed he was almost deaf due to fluid behind the ear drum and the ENT diagnosed sleep apnea. Two months later his adenoids and tonsils are out and grommets in and he is a new child.

Everything has improved - it is well worth seeking a second opinion

[Soccer Mum]

Last year DD (1 at the time) had tonsilitis 4x in 3 months, and about 7 ear infections. We have a referral to an ENT but we are low priority.

[Verdandih]

He may just be an ear child,

I had so many as a child, I did burst my drums a few times, helped with grommets.
Could it be that he is picking the tonsillitis up from other people that don't have any symptoms??

I had it 3 times in 2 months in high school & it was hell, the doctor said I had to have it at least 5 times before considering taking them out.

Talk again to the ENT, he may just need grommets & stronger antibiotics to really clear the infection. Get yourself checked so you don't have the bacteria & give it to him.
(Not trying to be rude, it has happened before)

[mad madam mim]

I was told that if they have more than 5 bouts of tonsillitis a year then they will look at removing them (my ds2 hit 4 times a year).