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Ear and Sinus Infections in a Toddler

Ear infections and sinus infections in toddlers can occur simultaneously or can be completely independent of each other. The usual methods of diagnosing these infections can be tricky for children who are too young to verbalize their pain.

  1. Location

    • Ear infections are located in the Eustachian tube. This tube connects the middle ear to the nose and throat. Sinus infections occur when the mucus membranes that line the nasal cavities get irritated, blocked and partially filled with fluid.

    Symptoms

    • If the child has a runny nose and cough for over 10 days, she could have a bacterial sinus infection. Bad breath, a fever and sore throat can be present. She might also complain of an ear infection. If she has an ear infection, she might tug at her ears, run a fever, complain of ear pain or refuse food.

    Diagnosis

    • A physician will use an otoscope to check the ear for infection and fluid. The doctor will ask questions about the patient's history and will do a physical examination to determine a sinus infection.

    Duration

    • Sinus infections can continue indefinitely without treatment. With antibiotic treatment, the sinus infection will usually be cleared up in 14 to 21 days. Ear infections usually clear up within 48 to 72 hours.

    Treatment

    • Sinus infections are treated with antibiotics. Saline drops will help break up the mucus in a sinus infection, which can speed up healing. Ear infections usually heal without the use of antibiotics. The child should be seen by his physician for an initial diagnosis, and if the symptoms don't improve in 24 hours, the child should be seen again.

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