New Guidelines Issued for Treating Kids’ Ear Infections

iStockphoto/Thinkstock(NEW YORK) — Acute otitis media (AOM), a type of ear infection, is one of the most common illnesses in children.

For the last decade, doctors worried about over-prescribing antibiotics to young patients suffering with AOM, advocated a watch-and-wait approach.  But now, the American Academy of Pediatrics has revised its recommendations.

Children six months and older should be given antibiotics immediately if the ear infection causes severe pain or a fever of 102.2 degrees or higher, the academy says.

The new guidelines, out Monday, also say breastfeeding for at least four months reduces ear infections — so does eliminating exposure to tobacco smoke.

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