It’s hard to stand by and hear a child in pain. If the child is pulling at her ears, has a fever, can’t sleep and is fussy, she may be suffering from an Ear Infection, which is very common in children. Other symptoms include muffled hearing, fluid draining from the ears, and headaches. This type of infection is usually caused when bacteria from a cold or other infection travel to the ear. Children get these infections more than adults because their immune systems aren’t fully developed, and their ears don’t drain fluid as effectively. Fluid buildup increases the risk for bacteria to grow and cause an infection.
A primary care physician can diagnose infections such as this and prescribe the proper medication. In many cases, especially with older children, doctors recommend watchful waiting and the use of a painkiller, as the infection often heals on its own. In other cases, they prescribe antibiotic treatment, which needs to be taken for the full length of the prescription. If the child doesn’t get better within a few days, the antibiotic may not be working, and a different one may be necessary.
Sometimes, children get recurrent infections, and in these cases a specialist may be needed, such as those at our website. A surgery that involves putting a small tube into the child’s ear to help keep air flowing properly to the ear and limit any buildup of fluids that could increase the risk for infection is a common treatment for recurrent infections. Usually, these tubes stay in place for about six months and then fall out. Infections that aren’t treated can cause hearing loss, so don’t avoid dealing with the problem.
Further infections may be limited by taking steps to prevent colds and other upper respiratory infections. Get the child the proper vaccines, avoid cigarette smoke, make sure to keep the child’s hands clean, and don’t let her play with sick children. Taking a bottle to bed, allergies, and using a pacifier can also increase the risk for Ear Infection, which is more common already in children who have a family history of this condition or who have nasal speech due to large adenoids.
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