Ear Infection

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AN EAR INFECTION (OTITIS MEDIA) is an infection of the area behind the eardrum or "middle ear". When a child is well, the middle ear is filled with air. However, when a child has a cold this space becomes filled with fluid if the eustachian tube becomes blocked by mucus or congestion. (The eustachian tube runs from the middle ear to the back of the throat, and should allow drainage of this fluid when not blocked.) Once the space behind the eardrum is filled with fluid, bacteria may grow and cause an ear infection. Ear infections are very common during childhood and most children (75%) will have at least one ear infection.

SYMPTOMS OF AN EAR INFECTION:

Older children will be able to tell you that they have an ear infection or that their ears feel stopped up and that they can not hear well
Younger children may pull at their ears, not sleep well, not want to suck a bottle or they may cry with pain
They may have fever
These signs are not specific for ear infections, and it may be difficult to tell if young children have another infection or just a cold
If you feel your child has symptoms worse than a typical cold, we recommend you call our office

RUPTURED EARDRUM:

About 5% of ear infections cause enough pressure in the middle ear to cause the eardrum to rupture.
A small hole develops in the eardrum to let out the infected fluid.
You will see this as yellow or cloudy fluid coming out of the ear
When the ear infection is treated, the hole usually heals on its own over the next week.

TREATMENT OF EAR INFECTIONS:

Antibiotics are a type of medicine that kill the bacteria that causes the ear infection. It is important to give all the doses of antibiotic to ensure that the ear infection heals completely
Your child will need to be seen for follow-up 2 to 3 weeks after the treatment is started to ensure that the infection is resolved and that further antibiotics are not needed
Acetaminophen (Tylenol) or Ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) can be given for a few days for the earache or fever
To help soothe the pain you can use ice wrapped in a wet washcloth or a heating pad held to the outside of the ear for about 20 minutes at a time.
Call the office, if your child is still needing pain medicine after 48 hours after starting the antibiotic

AIR TRAVEL AND SWIMMING:

Swimming is not restricted as long as there is no tear in the eardrum (rupture) or drainage from the ear.
Air travel is safe - your child may be more comfortable during descent if he/she swallows fluids, sucks on a pacifier, or chews gum during this part of the flight

PREVENTION OF EAR INFECTIONS:

Protect your child from second hand tobacco smoke as this has been shown to increase the frequency and severity of ear infections
Reduce your child's exposure to colds during the first year of life
Breast-feeding during the first 6-12 months of life - Antibodies in the breast milk reduce the likelihood that a child will get ear infections
Never prop up a bottle when feeding an infant by bottle

Ear Infection

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