Ear Infections

That piercing scream in the middle of the night! Usually a work night, no less. You check on your child to find that they may also have a fever and are pulling at their ears. What's going on? The experienced parent realizes that it is probably an ear infection. Ear infections may or may not be accompanied by an ear ache - the cause of your child's screaming. Ear infections are very common in young children. Usually children between the ages of 6 months to two years of age are the ones being affected.

What causes the ear infection? Ear infections (known medically as acute otitis media) are usually the result of a cold or upper respiratory infection. Children may suffer with a cold for several days before the onset of the infection. As children remain congested there is swelling in the nose and or throat which blocks the Eustachian tube - this is the canal which leads to the ear. As the tube becomes blocked, bacteria settle in, hence, an infection. There are times when the pressure from the blockage may become severe enough to tear the eardrum and at this time you may notice drainage from the ear. Medical information suggests that this is not dangerous and that the eardrum heals by itself in a week or two.

To combat the ear infection it is necessary to give the child an antibiotic. This antibiotic will not help the cold, however, as colds are due to a viral infection. Antibiotics do not rid the body of viral infections. It is important to note also that all of the antibiotic must be given. It is common for the ear infection to improve but not quite go away. Some children may need a second dose of the antibiotic (this means another 10 day stint), as the ear infection is difficult to get rid of. However, the ear infection is not contagious and generally not dangerous. It is suggested that instead of rushing off to the emergency room in the middle of the night that you give your child acetaminophen (i.e., Tylenol) or even ibuprofen to relieve the pain and fever. (Do not give a child aspirin - this can cause Reye's Syndrome.) You may want to check with your doctor in the morning.

Medical research does not suggest that decongestants help prevent or cure the ear infection. My own personal experience, however, was that when I gave my daughter a decongestant in the early stages of a cold she did not develop ear infections.

For children who have very frequent ear infections the family physician may suggest "ear tubes." This is a tiny tube inserted through the eardrum which allows drainage of fluid from the ear. After the child has outgrown the use of the tubes (there is apparently no need for surgical removal of them) the eardrum heals itself quickly.

If children are experiencing drainage from their ears, it is wise to avoid swimming activities as water will wash bacteria into the ear canal. Some physicians may suggest that children with tubes use ear plugs when they swim for the same reason. Others say it is not necessary. Check with your physician if you have questions.

While ear infections are the number one reason for doctor visits from young children, there are a number of things parents can do to prevent this painful malady from affecting their child: First, second hand smoke increases the number of ear infections children get and how severely they get them. Do not smoke around your child and make sure that any other care givers are not smoking around your child. Second, while many of us are in the position where both parents are required to work and this means day-care, you might want to consider having an infant or very young child in a small day care or family day care environment. This means less exposure to the colds and other viruses that may lead to the ear infection. Third, if your child is on the bottle, do not prop up the bottle or feed your child while they are lying flat. This allows fluid to enter the ear canal. Fourth, it is best if infants are breast-fed until 6 to 12 months of age. The breast-fed baby is usually held in an upright position and the mother's milk contains antibodies to ward off infections.

Your child may be experiencing ear pain but not have an ear infection. This is often due to teething. There is an instrument called EarCheck which apparently works like the ear thermometers. This tells you if your child probably has an ear infection. It is pricey (129.99) but if you make a lot of trips to the doctor, it may be worth the money. Check it out under my new links. Also, if your child experiences a constant runny nose, you may want to have your child tested for allergies.