[tigger44]

My pediatrician is offering to give us some antibiotics to take with us to Russia, in case our baby girl has an ear infection, or some other infection. However, I am not sure that any doctor in Russia will tell us if she has an ear infection. Does anyone have any experience with this? Any advice to share?

Thank you!

[waitinginnj]

I would take the antiobiotics in case. Chances are the embassy doctor will tell you if there is an ear infection. Or you may have strong suspicion such as pulling ears, fever etc.

[RussianJen]

I would also suggest bringing anti-biotics 'just in case', and watching carefully as the flight (change in cabin pressure) can be rough on little ones if they do have ear problems/infections. We were on a flight home from Russia and were across from a little guy (though he was about three) who was crying and saying "My ear hurts! My ear is hurting!" and rubbing the side of his head. His adoptive parents didn't understand what he was saying (he was speaking Russian) and tried to guess what was wrong - they offered him food, juice, a toy, a blankie - they were trying, but he just kept getting more and more frustrated because they didn't understand.

Long story short - with a little translation they got some medicine out of their bag and he fell asleep half an hour later a much happier little guy.

Err on the side of safety - and have a great trip!
-RussianJen

[Steffanie]

Quick question related to the subject. Do you get the RX from the Internatioal Dr. who has examined the information about your childs referral, or do you make an appt. with a pediatrician to get the RX for you child/children? Will a Ped. take an apt. from us if we do not have our child with us yet?
Thanks,
Steffanie

[boatsun]

We thought it was funny that the doctor in Russia that did our Embassy exam was able to diagnose an ear infection in our child by putting her finger in his ear and closing that flap of cartilage. When he pulled his head way she said he had an ear infection in both ears. It didn't seem too scientific to us, maybe he just didn't like strangers sticking their fingers in his ears. She also told us that all blonde babies have asthma, so we took her medical advice with a large grain of salt.

When we got home, our doctor confirmed that he had an ear infection. Take the medicine just in case. The amoxicillin we took with us was better than the tfozolin injections that our son was being given.

[Annabell]

I'd second (or eighth) everyone else. Take along the antibiotics -- you'll never know when you need them. Long flights are tough on tiny eustachian tubes under the very best of circumstances, and with an ear infection, they can be excruciating. I'd also take along some baby benedryl or other mild antihistimine -- it can help dry things up and relieve some of the pressure (and possibly help your little one sleep some of the way) -- just be sure to get the un-dyed hypoallergenic kind.

[pwnort64]

I took an 'all-purpose' anti-biotic with me, too, just in case. I didn't end up needing it, but it sure gave me peace of mind having it. It was given to me in powder form with directions on how to mix to make a liquid. That way, we didn't need to worry about it expiring or needing to be refrigerated.

I received the rx from my IA doctor. Since it was a toddler dose, it was prescribed to my soon-to-be-son and I had to pay out of pocket for it since he wasn't covered by my insurance yet.

Also, she prescribed the scabies cream. This, she prescribed to me, even though it was to be used on my son. You are supposed to use two doses, 7-10 days apart. So I had a refill coming. I took both tubes with me, even though 1 was plenty to cover him twice. Again, it gave me peace of mind in case I got scabies (I didn't). Before I left, I gave the second tube to my coordinator to use as she saw fit (for other children in the baby home with scabies). I figured if I did end up getting scabies, I could get more through my doctor at home.

[Dobby]

Our pediatrician refused to write a rx for antibiotics, said he wasn't going to medicate a child he had never seen. Never thought to ask our IA doctor. We were told he did NOT have an ear infection by the Embassy dr, but he did in both ears. I also came home with a double ear infection - odd, but it happened. So if you're offered the meds, I'd take it.

[GCS]

Our IA doctor gave us antibiotics for both children. I mentioned that I was concerned that I would not know if the children needed them. She told me that if the children had a fever for more than a day to put them on the medication as a precaution. She also was available via email or phone if something came up while we were in region.
It turned out that Sam had a terrible tooth infection that we did not know about. We didnt end up using the antibiotic because it flaired up the day we got home and we rushed him to a pediatric dentist, but had our 10-days not been waived we would have been in Russia with a child with a terrible infection. I am glad we had them with just in case.

Christina