Ear infections are the number one reason why young children visit health care providers. Although they are common, ear infections should be treated. An ear infection can muffle hearing, which children need to learn language. In severe cases, repeated ear infections can delay speech development and lead to hearing loss.
If you suspect that your child has an ear infection, have him or her checked by your health care provider. Given time and proper care, ear infections can be cured.
What are the symptoms of an ear infection?
- Ear pain
- Sense of fullness or pressure in one, or both ears
- Muffled hearing
- Fever
- Drainage from the ear
Young children who have an ear infection may also experience nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Babies who are too young to say where it hurts may rub or tug their ears, cry, and be irritable or unable to sleep.
What causes an ear infection?
Ear infections are caused by bacteria and viruses. (Bacteria and viruses are types of germs.) Many times, an ear infection begins after a child gets a cold or cough from one of these germs. The germ travels into the middle ear through the Eustachian tube, the channel that connects the middle ear to the top of the throat.
Once in the middle ear, the infection causes tissue to become inflamed or swollen. Fluid or pus can build up behind the eardrum. The eardrum may bulge, swell, and turn red, leading to pain and hearing problems.
How is an ear infection treated?
When treatment is needed (during an acute infection), the doctor may prescribe antibiotics, a type of medicine. Antibiotics are taken orally (by mouth) as pills or liquids and kill the bacteria that are causing the infection. Most treatments require the child to take the antibiotic every day for five to 10 days, depending on the medicine ordered.
Keep giving your child the medicine, even if the pain goes away. The infection can come back if medication is stopped. Sometimes after the infection is treated, fluid will remain in the child's ear behind the eardrum. If this occurs, your doctor may wait a couple of months to see if the fluid goes away on its own.
You may be asked to bring your child back for another checkup. This follow-up visit is to make sure that the infection or fluid is clear, even if symptoms have gone away.
How soon will my child feel better?
Your child should start feeling better a few days after treatment has begun. Carefully follow your health care provider's instructions for giving your child the medicine.
What is middle ear fluid?
Middle ear fluid is the buildup of fluid behind the eardrum. It can result from a ear infection, or it can build up on its own.
Middle ear fluid (not pus) may not cause pain, but it can still reduce or distort hearing in both ears at the same time. Treatment is important because middle ear fluid can cause a delay in speech development. If middle ear fluid does not go away on its own within three months, the fluid may need to be drained.
Why do some children need tubes put into their ears?
Usually, an ear infection and middle ear fluid clear up with antibiotics or on their own. Sometimes, however, the ear doesn't drain properly and fluid builds up behind the eardrum, even after an infection has gone. Doctors who specialize in the care of the ears, nose and throat (ENTs) place small tubes into the eardrums to allow fluid to drain and to let air into the middle ear.
Before inserting tubes, the ENT may wait several months to see if the fluid drains on its own. Another round of antibiotics and a hearing test may be ordered. Tubes are recommended only if the condition lasts for more than two to three months and/or your child is having hearing problems. Children who get frequent and recurrent ear infections may also be good candidates to have ear tubes placed.
Will my child always get ear infections?
Most children stop getting ear infections by age 6. Ear infections are more common in young children because their Eustachian tubes are shorter and more horizontal. This shape encourages fluid to gather behind the eardrum.
How can I protect my child from ear infections?
Here are some ways you can reduce your child's risk of ear infections:
- Don't smoke around your children. Studies show that second-hand smoke can make a child two to three times more likely to develop ear infections.
- Breastfeed your baby. Babies who are breastfed rather than bottle-fed are less likely to get ear infections.
- If you bottle feed, keep your baby in a sitting position. When a child sucks a bottle lying down, milk is more likely to flow into the middle ear.
- Keep a watch on allergies. Mucus from allergic reactions can block the Eustachian tube and make ear infections more likely.
- Try to keep your child from catching colds. Preventing colds can reduce the number of ear problems.
- Do not let your child go to bed (fall asleep) with a bottle.
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This information is provided by the Cleveland Clinic and is not intended to replace the medical advice of your doctor or health care provider. Please consult your health care provider for advice about a specific medical condition. This document was last reviewed on: 5/9/2007...#4149
