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Ear infections are the number one reason why young children visit health care
providers. Although they are common, ear infections should be treated. An ear infection can
muffle hearing, which children need to learn language. In severe cases, repeated
ear infections can delay speech development and lead to hearing loss.
If you suspect that your child has an ear infection, have him or her checked
by your health care provider. Given time and proper care, ear infections can be
cured.
What are the symptoms of an ear infection?
- Pain in one ear
- Sense of fullness in one ear
- Muffled hearing
- Fever
- Drainage from the ear
Young children who have an ear infection may also experience nausea, vomiting,
and diarrhea. Babies who are too young to say where it hurts may rub or tug their ears, cry, and be
irritable or unable to sleep.
What causes an ear infection?
Ear
infections are caused by bacteria and viruses.
(Bacteria and viruses are types of germs.) Many times, an ear infection begins
after a child gets a cold or cough from one of these germs. The germ travels
into the middle ear through the Eustachian tube, the channel
that connects the middle ear to the top of the throat.
Once in the middle ear, the infection causes tissue to become inflamed. Fluid
or pus can build up behind the eardrum. The eardrum may bulge, swell, and turn
red, leading to pain and hearing problems.
How is an ear infection treated?
When
treatment is needed (during an acute infection), the doctor may prescribe antibiotics, a type of medicine. Antibiotics
are taken orally (by mouth) as pills or liquids and kill the
bacteria that are causing the infection.
Most treatments require the child to take the antibiotic every day for seven to
10 days, depending on the medicine ordered.
Keep giving your child the medicine, even if the pain goes away. The
infection can come back if medication is stopped. If the child just has fluid
behind the eardrum (and not pus), the doctor may wait a couple of months to see
if the fluid goes away on its own.
You may be asked to bring your child back for another checkup. This follow-up
visit is to make sure that the infection or fluid is clear, even if symptoms
have gone away.
How soon will my child feel better?
Your
child should start feeling better a few days after treatment has begun.
Carefully follow your health care provider's instructions for giving your child
the medicine.
What is middle ear fluid?
Middle ear
fluid is the buildup of fluid behind the eardrum. It can result from a ear
infection, or it can build up on its own.
Middle ear fluid (not pus) may not cause pain, but it can still reduce or distort
hearing in both ears at the same time. Treatment is important because middle ear fluid can cause a delay in speech development. If middle
ear fluid does not go away on its own within three months, the fluid may need to
be drained.
Why do some children need tubes put into their ears?
Usually,
an ear infection and middle ear fluid clear up with antibiotics or on their own.
Sometimes, however, the ear doesn't drain properly and fluid builds up behind
the eardrum, even after an infection has gone. Doctors who specialize in the care
of the ears, nose and throat (ENTs) place small tubes into the eardrums to allow
fluid to drain and to let air into the middle ear.
Before inserting tubes, the ENT may wait several months to see if the fluid
drains on its own. Another round of antibiotics and a hearing test may be
ordered. Tubes are recommended only if the condition lasts for more than two to
three months and/or your child is having hearing problems.
Will my child always get ear infections?
Most children stop getting ear infections by age 6. Ear infections are more
common in young children because their Eustachian tubes are shorter and more
horizontal. This shape encourages fluid to gather behind the eardrum.
How can I protect my child from ear infections?
Here
are some ways you can reduce your child's risk of ear infections:
- Don't smoke around your children. Studies show that second-hand smoke can
make a child two to three times more likely to develop ear infections.
- Breastfeed your baby. Babies who are breastfed rather than bottle fed
are less likely to get ear infections.
- If you bottle feed, keep your baby in a sitting position. When a child
sucks a bottle lying down, milk is more likely to flow into the middle ear.
- Keep a watch on allergies. Mucus from allergic reactions can block the
Eustachian tube and make ear infections more likely.
- Try to keep your child from catching colds. Preventing colds can reduce the number of ear problems.
- Do not let your child go to bed (fall asleep) with a bottle.
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