Q: My one-year-old daughter is suffering from a series of ear infections. After giving her antibiotics for four days, she came down with a high fever of 104 degree Fahrenheit. Her blood test report shows C- reactive protein (CRP) level - 77.8 mg/L, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) level - 32, white blood cell (WBC) level is 16 K/UL, haemoglobin is 10.40 g/dl and Haematocrit is 30.4%. Again after giving her antibiotics for three days, she came down with another high fever, which lasted for three days. What causes persistent ear infection? How can it be managed?

A:Ear infections are very common in infants and children. Following may predispose to ear infections - attending day care / first year of school, bottle feed / feeding in lying down position, upper respiratory tract infection - infection in nose, throat area, low body immunity, unhealthy hygienic conditions and anatomical / functional problems of nose, nasopharynx, palate, etc.

Once suppuration is diagnosed, antibiotic course has to be given for 10 days along with the care of underlying predisposing factor(s). Decongestants help in cases where nose congestion is there. Good hydration and humidification helps. CRP and ESR are non specific tests, which are positive when inflammation is present anywhere in the body. Show your child to an ENT specialist.