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my son had a mastoidectomy 6 years ago after, constantly having ear infections, a doctor finally took swabs where they found that he had pseudamonis down his ear, the infection had gone so far that antibiotics werent working (they had been using wrong antibiotics until the swab) so they had to operate to remove it, the infection had eaten away behind his ear drum and had just started to attack the outer membrane of his brain and the nerves which control his face, he could have ended up with facial paralysis and meninghits or brain abcesses, the one thing that i always noticed was a pungent smell and a discharge from his ear. recently i have noticed a distinctive smell from his ear but the drs have poo hood taking swabs and administered normal antibiotics, can any one give me any advice as to whether other infections cause this smell or should i tske him bk to his gp:confused:
Hi Kerry - welcome to HP
If the antibiotics don't get rid of the smell within a few days, then demand a swab and/or a second opinion. If there is any possibility of it getting worse then A&E is the answer and don't take 'no' for an answer or be fobbed off. The possibility of this causing serious problems is highly likely if it is not dealt with properly and it is a risk I would not like to take either with myself or anyone I was caring for if I were in our position. This is not to be ignored :(.
Demand a second opinion - and I also wouldnt keep to myself the fact they messed it all up in the first place! 
As CarolineN said - A&E is the best bet, stand your ground.
Good luck!