Ear Infection
Next to the allergy affecting the nasal passages, the eustachian tube may become blocked by congestion in its lining or by mucus within the tube. This blockage will allow fluid to build up within the normally air-filled middle ear. Bacteria or viruses that have entered the middle ear through the eustachian tube can also get trapped in this way. These germs can breed in the trapped fluid, eventually leading to an ear infection.
About Middle Ear Infections (Otitis Media)
Otitis media refers to inflammation in the middle ear area. There are different forms of otitis media. Typically, when the doctor refers to an ear infection, he or she is most likely talking about "acute otitis media" (although there's also the common ear infection called
# Their eustachian tubes are shorter and more horizontal than those of adults, which allows bacteria and viruses to find their way into the middle ear more easily. Their tubes are also narrower and less stiff, which makes them more prone to blockage.
# The adenoids, which are gland-like structures located in the back of the upper throat near the eustachian tubes, are large in children and can interfere with the opening of the eustachian tubes.
# Children's immune systems aren't fully developed until the age of 7. Therefore, they have more trouble fighting infections.
There are also a number of other factors that contribute to children getting ear infections. The more common ones are exposure to cigarette smoke, bottle-feeding, and day-care attendance.
Ear infections also occur more commonly in boys than girls, in children whose families have a history of ear infections, and more often in the winter season when upper respiratory tract infections or colds are most frequent.
Signs and Symptoms
The signs and symptoms of acute otitis media may range from very mild to severe:
* The fluid in the middle ear may push on the eardrum, causing ear pain. An older child may complain of an earache, but a younger child may tug at the ear or simply act irritable and cry more than usual.
* Lying down, chewing, and sucking can also cause painful pressure changes in the middle ear, so a child may eat less than the normal amount or have trouble sleeping.
* If the pressure from the fluid buildup is high enough, it can cause the eardrum to rupture, resulting in drainage of fluid from the ear. This releases the pressure behind the eardrum, usually bringing on relief from the pain.
Fluid buildup in the middle ear also blocks sound, which can lead to temporary fever
# nausea
# cough.
Contagiousness
An ear infection is not contagious, though the cold that may lead to it can be.
Duration
Middle ear infections often go away on their own within 2 or 3 days, even without any specific treatment. If your child's doctor decides to prescribe antibiotics, a 10-day course is usually recommended.
For children 6 years of age and older with a mild to moderate infection, a shortened course of antibiotics (5 to 7 days) may be appropriate.
But even after antibiotic treatment for an episode of acute otitis media, fluid may remain in the middle ear for up to several months.
Diagnosis and Treatment
If you suspect that your child has an ear infection, he or she will need to visit the doctor, who should be able to make a diagnosis by taking a medical history and doing a physical exam.
To examine the ear, doctors use an otoscope, a small instrument similar to a flashlight, through which they can see the eardrum.
There's no single best approach for treating all middle ear infections. In deciding how to manage your child's ear infection, a doctor will consider many factors, including:
* the type and severity of the ear infection
* how often your child has ear infections
* how long this infection has lasted
* how old your child is
* risk factors your child may have
* whether the infection affects your child's hearing