Ear & Eye Infections

Ear and eye infections are the most common illnesses in small children, according to the Mayo Clinic. Ear and eye infections have the potential to play off of one another and can pose greater complications if not properly treated. There are simple ways to prevent and treat ear and eye infections.

• A human eyeball.

Facts

• The most common ear infection is in the middle ear and is commonly caused by a bacterium that builds up in the ear. The most common eye infection is pink eye or conjunctivitis, which also is caused by bacteria

Symptoms

• Symptoms for an ear infection are pain in the ear, discharge of liquid or puss from the ear, fever and the chills. Symptoms of an eye infection are severe redness, itchiness and dryness of the eye.

Treatment

• An ear infection is treated with prescription oral antibiotics such as amoxicillin or penicillin taken for 10 to 14 days. An eye infection is treated with prescribed antibiotic eye drops.

Prevention/Solution

• The best way to prevent the spread of infection, according to the Centers for Disease Control, is to wash the hands as often as possible, avoid being around groups of people and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Drink six to eight 8-ounce glasses of water daily, sleep eight hours a night and eat a well-balanced diet.

Considerations

• After taking antibiotics, the symptoms should improve within two to three days. If no improvement is obvious, either the individual's body is immune to the antibiotic or the infection was caused by a virus. Talk a doctor if no improvement is made in two to three days.