Most kids don't need antibiotics for an ear infection.
Most parents delay the antibiotic treatment for ear infections.
This is due to the fact that recent studies of the American Academy of Pediatrics shows that almost 80% of children who are delayed in treatment of ear infections with antibiotics, are getting better without antibiotics.
It should be noted that many infections are actually simple ear aches.
In 2004 there appeared some guidelines of the American Academy of Pediatrics about ear infections and the treatment with antibiotics.
Not all cases of infections need to be treated with antibiotics.
For most children the best choice to treat ear infections is Amoxicillin.
Most of the time it is necessary and a drug for the ear pain.
There are many alternatives to amoxicillin if the child is allergic.
Here is the list of the Amoxicillin alternatives: Vantin, Biaxin, Ceftin, Zithromax and Omnicef.
When the ear infection is accompanied with fever (more than 102.
2 F) then is necessary to take Augmentin.
If after 72 hours there are no signs of improvement it is best to change the antibiotic.
Remember that a high dose of augmentin does not involve any major risk and it is a best choice for the treatment of ear infections.
You may need to use antibiotics careless because a improper use can cause infections harder to treat.
Antibiotics don't cure the ear infections caused by viruses.
Antibiotics have effects only on the ear infection caused only by bacteria.
One more thing...
if you use antibiotics more than prescribed, they can lead to some digestive disturbances and recurrent infections.