From: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=15353598
In case you haven’t heard or read this story that NPR reported this morning, a new “superbug” has been discovered. It’s a “strep pneumo” bacteria that causes ear infections which none of the antibiotics that are FDA approved for children can touch.
But here’s what gets me: There’s a way to discover exactly what strain of bacteria is causing a child’s ear infection. It’s called an ear tap. By using it, doctors could tell what antibiotics are most likely to help treat the infection, rather than putting a child through round after round of antibiotics trying to find the one that works. Many pediatric doctors haven’t learned the technique or have chosen not to use it. To quote the article, “Pichichero [of the University of Rochester] says many doctors don’t like to do it.” It doesn’t say it in the article, but what I heard on the radio version was that they don’t like to do it because it disrupts the rhythm of their days!
Now excuse me, but I expect my children to receive the care they need, not the care that a doctor feels like giving on a particular day! I need more of a reason than that for them to deny my child a procedure that could help find a better way to treat recurrent ear infections. To be fair, this was one doctor’s perspective of why the treatment wasn’t being used.
Maybe I’m more sensitive to this than I should be. I just remember the months Sullivan had recurring ear infections. There are only so many antibiotics a little body can take! There is now a way to determine a way to better help these kids with recurring ear infections but some doctors aren’t making use of it because it inconveniences them. That makes me angry!
Ear tubes finally cleared up Sullivan’s ear infections but we discovered that the antibiotics he’d been on so regularly had actually been controlling other bacteria that, without the antibiotics, began to cause pneumonias. After so long on the lower grade antibiotics, the bacteria seemed immune to them. We had to resort to ever stronger antibiotics to control the pneumonias. It seemed like he was never fully recovered from them. How could my son’s life have been different if there had been other options to explore in his treatment?
Give children the best care they can get. Put the kids before your convenience. Keep up to date on new procedures and research, so that you really can offer the best care for the kids.
And parents, be advocates for what’s best for your kids. Antibiotics aren’t right for every illness. Know what you’re treating before you use one. Do your own research, don’t rely on a doctor who doesn’t always have up to date information.
This concludes my rant.
