Are Antibiotics Necessary for Ear Infections?

NBC's Robert Bazell takes a look at a new trend in medicine in which doctors suggest not giving children antibiotics right away to cure ear infections. NBC follows Cynthia Kim, MD, a pediatrician at UCSF Children's Hospital, as she treats a young girl for an ear infection. Dr. Kim, also a mother, said she understands the urge to immediately treat your child for a painful ear infection, but agrees with the study that advises waiting 48 hours to see if the infection clears up on its own to curb overuse of antibiotics that causes resistance, a public health problem. Related Links: Are Antibiotics Necessary for Ear Infections?
Nightly News with Brian Williams September 12, 2006