Child Ear Infections

By the time most kids turn three, they have been diagnosed with an ear infection at least once. It is the most commonly diagnosed childhood illness in the United States, next to the common cold. Ear infections can be cause a child a lot of pain and discomfort. However, ear infections can easily be treated and can sometimes be prevented.

The Facts

• The medical term for common ear infections is acute otitis media, and refers to an infection of the middle ear. Within the ear, there is a small passage that connects the middle ear to the nose. This passage, known as the Eustachian tube, helps to drain fluid from the middle ear. Germs, in the form of viruses or bacteria, can get into the middle ear, causing an infection. This typically occurs when a child has a cold and drainage of the Eustachian tube is temporarily blocked. The excess fluid in the ear can cause a child pain and can produce a fever.

Symptoms

• If your child has a fever and is acting irritable, this could be a sign of an ear infection. Older children may complain of pain in their ear, while younger children may tug on their ear lobe or scratch at their ear. In many instances, children who develop ear infections will have a cold before the onset of ear infection symptoms. If your child has a cold, watch for a fever or signs of pain in the ear and see your child's doctor if you suspect an ear infection.

Diagnosis

• To diagnose an ear infection, the child should be examined by a doctor. The doctor will take a brief medical history and perform a physical exam. The doctor will examine the ear using an otoscope, which is similar to a small flashlight. The doctor will check for fluid and redness and look at the overall appearance and movement of the eardrum.

Treatment

• The doctor will consider many factors before deciding how to treat your child. The doctor will consider the type of infection, severity, history of ear infections, how long your child has had the infection, and more. In some cases, antibiotics will be prescribed to clear up the infection. In other cases, the doctor may have reason to believe the infection will clear up on its own. In children with more severe problems associated with ear infections, a doctor may suggest surgically inserting tympanostomy tubes to allow fluid to drain from the Eustachian tube.

Prevention

• There are a few things that may prevent ear infections in children. Infants who are breastfed for at least six months are less likely to develop ear infections at an early age. Bottle-fed children should be held at an angle during feedings to prevent ear infections. Reduce exposure to secondhand smoke, as children who are regularly exposed to it are more likely to suffer from frequent and severe ear infections. Since colds can cause ear infections, wash your hands frequently, as well as your child's, to decrease the transmission of germs that cause colds.