Brief Answer:
I would advise letting it run it's course.

Detailed Answer:
It is not uncommon for babies to have transient illness when they are cutting teeth. Also, her body is fighting/developing immunity to the viruses she received in her immunization. So it is not unexpected for her to get canker sores during this time. I am assuming they are canker sores as I can't see them, but these are not uncommon when the immune system is stressed. These are not bacterial in nature, so the amoxicillin will not help it. As long as she is not getting overall sicker, I would let it run it's course.

Are they truly blisters (bubbles) or white ulcers? If they are truly blisters such as with cold sores, then she may have Herpes Simplex I, and might benefit from an antiviral medicine (not antibacterial antibiotic like amoxicillin).

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Brief Answer:
Yes, but it doesn't mean an antibiotic is needed/helpful.

Detailed Answer:
Yes, it sounds like your granddaughter has otitis media (inflammation of the ear drum usually caused by infection). But - the cause is usually viral. And - it will usually resolve without treatment.

A red ear drum can also be caused by "serous otitis" which is when the ear drum is inflamed from increased secretions in the throat which goes up the eustachian tube and creates pressure changes and irritation on the ear drum. Teething is sometimes associated with this as well.

Newer recommendations are that physicians should not treat most red ear drums with antibiotics. Doing so contributes to antibiotic resistance (creation of bacteria that will not respond to antibiotics, which is particularly important in situations of severe infection such as pneumonia). And most uncomplicated cases of otitis media resolve on their own.

I know this is different from how things were done in the past, when antibiotics were prescribed for nearly every type of infection, but your grand baby's pediatrician is following what is recommended now, appropriately.

I hope this helps explain things.

Of course, if the baby becomes much sicker with a high, persistent fever, then reevaluation (and probably starting the antibiotic) would be advisable.

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Brief Answer:
Your welcome!

Detailed Answer:
One other thing to mention -

Another reason antibiotics are discouraged unless necessary is that antibiotics kill bacteria fairly indiscriminately. This means it may kill the few bacteria in the middle ear but also kill a lot of the good bacteria in the colon. Taking a probiotic can help prevent a colon bacteria dysbiosis (overgrowth of bacteria you don't want because the needed ones are gone), but it's best to avoid the situation if possible.

Also - about the canker sores: avoid giving her foods that are irritating physically (nuts, chips) or that are spicy, acidic (orange juice), or very salty, until they heal. If she gets the canker sores frequently, then consider the possibility of food allergies, but if it is just occasional, it is likely from just being run down from teething + immunizations.

I hope your grand baby is feeling much better soon.

If you have no further questions, please go ahead and close the conversation and rate it. Thanks.

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