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Do you remember having an ear infection when you were a child? Nearly every child, by the age of five, has experienced at least one episode of a painful ear infection. Next to the common cold, ear infections are the most commonly diagnosed childhood illness in the United States. More than 3 out of 4 kids have had at least one ear infection by the time they reach 3 years of age. Ear infections are often painful because of inflammation and buildup of fluids in the middle ear. Since ear infections often clear up on their own, treatment begins with managing pain and monitoring the problem. Ear infection in infants, and severe cases in general, require oral antibiotic medications. Long-term problems related to ear infections can cause hearing problems and other serious complications such as perforations of the eardrum. Symptoms of an Ear Infection The onset of signs and symptoms of an ear infection is usually rapid. Symptoms and signs for children with ear infections include: • Ear pain, especially when lying down
• Tugging or pulling at an ear
• Difficulty sleeping
• Crying more than usual
• Acting more irritable than usual
• Fever of 100 F (38 C) or higher
• Drainage of fluid from the ear
• Loss of appetite
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea An ear infection is generally caused by a bacterium or virus in the middle ear. This often results from another illness, such as a cold, flu, or allergy that causes congestion and swelling of the nasal passages, throat and Eustachian tubes.
Ear Infections can Lead to Tubes in your Child's Ear Ear tubes are often recommended when a person experiences repeated middle ear infection, or has hearing loss caused by the persistent presence of middle ear fluid. These conditions most commonly occur in children, but can also be present in teens and adults, leading to speech and balance problems, hearing loss, or changes in the structure of the ear drum. Each year more than half a million ear tube surgeries are performed on children, making it the most common childhood surgery performed with anesthesia. The average age for ear tube insertion is one to three years old. The insertion of ear tubes may: • Reduce the risk of future ear infections
• Restore hearing loss caused by middle ear fluid
• Improve speech problems and balance problems
• Improve behavior and sleep problems caused by chronic ear infections Prevention Some factors associated with the development of ear infections can't be avoided, but certain lifestyle choices can minimize the risk for kids. Teach your child to wash his or her hands frequently and thoroughly to prevent germs from spreading. Also, teach your child not to share eating and drinking utensils, as this is another way that illnesses are easily spread. If possible, limit the time your child spends in group child care. • Avoid exposure to second hand smoke, which can increase the frequency and severity of ear infections.
• Both parents and kids should practice good hang washing
• Keep your child's immunizations up-to-date
• Constantly monitor your child's health; when unusual symptoms arise, visit your physician. Although quite rare, ear infections that don't go away or severe repeated middle ear infections can lead to complications, including the spread of infection to nearby bones. If your child has an earache or a sense of fullness in the ear, especially when combined with a fever, they should be evaluated by their ear, nose and throat doctors in Waterbury if they are not improving.
Sean Hartmen writes for leading ENT doctors in Southbury, Dr. Raymond Winicki and Dr. Jerome Sugar. Working alongside Drs. Winicki and Sugar at Naugatuck Valley Ear, Nose, and Throat Associates is Judith Lynch, APRN. At Naugatuck Valley Ear, Nose and Throat Associates, these ENT doctors in Cheshire, Middlebury and Waterbury are committed to providing the best in quality care for their patients.
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