Expert: Mary Pat, R.N. - 11/5/2009

Question
Hello,

I am sorry to bother you but I don't know what else to do...
My son is 5 months old and has been sick with what seems to be a cold for about 2weeks now, maybe longer. Out of those 2 weeks he has only ran a fever for 2 of the days. 11/4 I brought him to the dr. she said she couldn't see in his ears to check for an infection but he seemed fine. I took him home and that night and then all day today he has refused to eat, won't really sleep, doesn't want to be put down but doesn't seem to want to be held and he will randomly burst out in a painful cry and it is nearly impossible to calm him down! I don't know what to do??? I have tried warm baths, baby oragel and infants motrin for about a week now and he just seems to be getting worse. Please help!

Answer
Dear Jordan:

If the baby still has cold symptoms and is acting the way you describe he needs to have his ears examined either by the doctor who failed to do so or another one.  This could be from teething but his symptoms are also those of a middle ear infection.  It would be helpful to know what you are dealing with here.

Mary Pat