Kids with common ear infections ‘should not be given antibiotics’, health watchdog says
Research found that 60 per cent of children will show signs of improvement from a common ear ache without antibiotics
CHILDREN with common ear infections should not be given antibiotics, a health watchdog has said.
Draft guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) says parents should use paracetamol or ibuprofen instead.
The watchdog found 60 per cent of children with middle ear infection will show signs of improvement within 24 hours, even if they have not taken antibiotics.
Others who have symptoms of a more serious illness may need antibiotics immediately.
Nice’s Prof Gillian Leng said: “It is vital these medicines are only used when they are effective.”
US experts this week also said antibiotics are not effective against many ear infections.
