Khari Payne is only four years old and already he's suffered through nearly a dozen ear infections. 

His mother said, "we were in the doctor all the time, it was just, i mean at least once a month for probably the better part of two years.  It was endless."

His symptoms often started with a runny nose, then came the fever, fussiness and irritability.  Some pediatricians differ in how to proceed with treatment.    Dr. Vivian Lennon often keeps a watchful eye on a child before prescribing antibiotics. 

"If the child however is younger, if the child is having severe pain, if the child is having fever then the decision may be made to treat with antibiotics". 

She says the medicines should start working within 48 to 72 hours.  Khari's infections kept coming back so his parents opted for surgery to insert tubes in his middle ear.   The pain relief is instantaneous because the fluid is drained instantaneously.  That's made khari a happy boy.  His mother reports he hasn't had an ear infection in about a year.