Ear infection in children –causes, symptoms and treatment
An ear infection is an infection of the middle ear located behind the ear drum and is usually associated with a virus. Also referred to as Otitis Media ear infections are not a contagious illness. This infection is a common illness experienced in childhood as the Eustachian tube situated in the middle ear is shorter and narrower than an adult. Most ear infections tend to resolve within a few days without any treatment. Although an ear infection is not a severe illness it does pose discomfort to your child.
Symptoms of childhood ear infection:
*Due to the accumulation of fluid developing in the middle ear your child usually experiences pain, ear ache and difficulty in hearing.
*Your child may experience a fever due to the infection of the virus.
*Fevers may develop in the body as a response to the infection
*Children may tug or interfere with the ear as an indication of an ear ache
*Due to the pain commonly experienced during an ear infection your child may have trouble sleeping resulting in irritability or crying more than usual
*An upper respiratory infection can also develop
Causes of ear infections in children:
Ear infections are commonly caused by a viral illness such as the cold. The immune system in children is not completely developed resulting in frequent viral illness and an increased occurrence of ear infections. Inflammation of the ear lining occurs resulting in fluid build-up. This blockage causes fever and pain. Recurrent ear infections can result in short-term or long term hearing loss due to fluid build-up in the ear. The pressure of the fluid build-up can damage the ear drum by causing it to erupt. Blood and pus usually oozes out of the ear releasing the pressure and pain experienced. The ear drum can usually repair and reverse the damage caused by the infection. Children at a crèche or other learning institutes are at a greater risk in developing ear infections as the virus tend to spread between children. Bottle fed babies are prone to developing ear infections due to lying position during a feeding. Children with allergies that are triggered during the spring seasons are more susceptible in experiencing ear infections.
Preventing the occurrence of ear infections:
*The use of allergy medication can decrease the occurrence of an ear infection
*Breast feeding may be a better option to bottle feeding as the antibodies in breast milk increases the child’s immunity providing protection against illness and infections.
*If a child is bottle fed avoid propping the bottle in the baby’s mouth when lying down,
*Children should avoid contact with other children experiencing viral infections
*Avoid exposure to irritants that can trigger an allergy attack which can lead to illnesses. Use allergy medication to reduce the occurrence of an attack
*Immunisation can help prevent and reduce the occurrence of ear infections
*Do not share food or eating utensils with individuals experiencing colds or any other illness.
Treatment of childhood ear infection
*If fluid build-up does not clear within 72 hours antibiotics are usually prescribed. *Fluid can be drained relieving pressure against the ear drum.
*Ear drops and pain medication helps to relieve and numb the pain commonly experienced