Ear Infections: The Second Most Common Childhood Illness
After the cold, an ear infection is the second most common complaint of small children and infants. About 75% of children experience at least one ear infection when they are three years old. The inner ear is what translates vibrations into signals that are sent to the brain and interpreted as sound. The pressure in the inner ear should be the same as the outside world. The Eustachian tube, a small passage that connects the middle ear to the back of the throat behind the ear, equalizes the air before it reaches the inner ear.
This Eustachian tube sometimes doesn’t work right if your child has a cold or an allergy affecting the nasal passages. Mucus in this tube or drainage can block the airflow with fluid instead of air. Bacteria and viruses can then be trapped in the liquid that has replaced the air. Symptoms of ear infections are pain, eardrum redness, and possibly a fever. If your infant seems to be in pain and is pulling at their car while crying, this is a good sign they may have an ear infection.
Children between two and four are more likely to develop ear infections because their Eustachian tubes are shorter and more horizontal than an adult. They also are narrower and less stiff. This allows bacteria to find its way into the middle ear. The adenoids located in the back of the throat are larger in children and often will interfere with the opening of the ear tubes.
Surprisingly, ear infections occur more frequently in boys than girls. Children in day care, are bottle-feeding, or around cigarette smoke are more prone to getting ear infections.
How do you know if your child is suffering from an ear infection? There are many signs to look for but these are the most common.
- If your child doesn’t respond to soft sounds.
- If they are talking louder than normal.
- If they are appearing inattentive at pre-school or school.
- If they are asking you to turn up the radio or the television to louder than normal.
- Fever
- Dizziness
- Vomiting
- Nausea
These are common signs that you can look for if you suspect your infant or child has an inner ear infection. Symptoms of acute otitis media (inner ear infection) can vary from mild to severe. The most severe symptom can cause the fluid buildup to rupture the eardrum. When that happens, the fluid drains from the ear and this will relieve pain.
Another symptom is if a child is having a hard time chewing, sucking on a bottle or pacifier, or lying down. Those will create painful pressure in the ear with the result being the child eats and sleeps less.
An older child may be able to tell you if they have ear pain. The fluid builds up and they know it’s their ear hurting. An infant can’t tell you but you may notice they are crying more and pulling at their ears.
Ear infections often go away after two or three days on its own, or a doctor can prescribe antibiotics. Ear infections are not contagious, but the colds that produce the infection can be. Antibiotics won’t help if a virus causes the ear infection; it won’t get rid of the fluid, doesn’t provide pain relief during the first 24 hours if at all, and may cause side effects such as diaper rash. Frequent use of antibiotics can lead to development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which makes infections harder to treat.
How can you prevent your infant or child from getting an ear infection? They are less likely to develop ear infections if they are breast fed for at least six months. If they are given a bottle, it’s best if they are not lying down while taking it. Avoid exposure to second hand smoke and avoid large groups of children if possible. Hygiene is important as well. The transmission of germs can be passed person to person, so hand washing and proper hygiene is an important part of prevention.
Keeping your child’s immunization schedule up to date is also important, as some immunizations will help prevent ear infections.
In some cases, tubes put into the ears can keep your child from having chronic ear infections.
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