WOW! It's a little scary to me that some of you have never been told about, or given the choice to administer Prevnar.
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I wonder if that's just symptomatic of different pediatricians not believing in the vaccine yet?
So far, Paul has made it through his first winter with only one bad cold (thank God) with a mild ear infection. I was very open to the Prevnar vaccine b/c DH was extremely prone to ear infections as a child (had tubes in his ears), and if a parent or sibling has had repeated ear infections, than the baby is more at risk to have them too.
Here's some other, little known facts about childhood ear infections:
Age. Children 3 years and younger are most likely to get ear infections. Also, young children get more colds and upper respiratory infections. Most children have at least one ear infection before they are 7 years old.
Recurrent colds and upper respiratory infections. Most ear infections (acute otitis media) develop from colds or other upper respiratory infections.
Exposure to cigarette smoke. Babies who are exposed to cigarette smoke are more likely to have ear infections than babies who are not exposed to smoke. Also, ear infections seem to last longer in children who are exposed to cigarette smoke.
Bottle-feeding. Babies who are breast-fed are less likely than babies who are bottle-fed to develop ear infections within the first year of life. Babies are more likely to develop ear infections if they take their bottles lying down rather than being held.
Being around siblings with ear infections. Babies with brothers and sisters who have ear infections are more likely to have an ear infection.
Child care centers. Children who are around many other children, such as in child care centers, are more likely to have ear infections than children who are not exposed to many other children.
Pacifier use after 12 months of age. Babies who continue to use a pacifier after they have reached 12 months of age are more likely to develop ear infections.
Birth defects or other medical conditions. Babies with cleft palate or Down syndrome are prone to ear infections.
Weakened immune system. Children with severely impaired immune systems have more frequent ear infections than healthy children.
Sex. Boys seem to have more ear infections than girls.
Family history. Children are more likely to have recurrent middle ear infections if a parent or sibling had repeated ear infections.
Allergies. Allergies may be a risk factor for ear infections. Allergies cause long-term nasal congestion which affects functioning of the eustachian tube, which connects the back of the nose and throat with the middle ear.
Factors that increase the risk for repeated ear infections also include:
Ear infections at an early age. Babies who have their first ear infection before 6 months of age are more likely to have other ear infections.
Persistent fluid in the ear. Fluid behind the eardrum that lasts longer than 2 to 10 weeks after an ear infection increases the risk for repeated infection.
Prior infections. Children who have had an ear infection within the previous 3 months are more likely to have another ear infection, especially if the infection was treated with antibiotics.
