"Being a parent these days sometimes entails this hypocrisy Yes I know overuse of antibiotics is creating superbugs http_ST_N.htm that may soon conquer the universe. But please give some to my kid anyway. Now two http new studies http bolstered by an accompanying editorial http in the New England Journal of Medicine demonstrate what we parents have suspected for years When it comes to ear infections antibiotics are in order. Current practice guidelines for treating kids mild middleear infections  or acute otitis media http  call for watchful waiting to be followed by antibiotics only if symptoms worsen or dont cease. That sounds fine in theory but its a tough pill to swallow when its your own wee one whos wailing and writhing in pain. Ear infections hurt and waiting for them to run their course can be excruciating. Both of the studies in contrast to earlier research on which the watchful waiting approach has been based are considered welldesigned even if they are on the small side. Both show that antibiotics are more effective than placebos in relieving earinfection symptoms such as fever poor appetite decreased activity and irritability and suggested that their benefits warrant their being administered early on regardless of the seeming severity of a childs symptoms. Interestingly antibiotics were no more effective at reducing pain as reported by parents or children than placebos. One of the studies noted that while antibiotics  specifically amoxicillin http paired with clavulanate  shortened the duration of symptoms half the children on placebo eventually got better without the aid of those drugs. Still some of the placebogroup kids required rescue treatment when their symptoms grew markedly worse. The studies also noted that the use of antibiotics must be weighed against the risk of antimicrobial resistance to which prescriptions for childhood maladies such as ear infections are thought to contribute mightily and against antibiotics side effects which can include diarrhea and eczema. As it happens on Christmas Eve my daughter who at  is wee no more woke up with a wicked pain in her ear. Her doctor took one quick look inside and wrote a prescription for Augmentin http a popular drug that combines amoxicillin with clavulanate potassium. By Christmas morning the pain had subsided. Did I feel guilty for potentially contributing to the development of a superbug The thought never crossed my mind. It doesnt tend to when youre worried about your kid  and grateful when her pain goes away."