Ear infections in children

ear infections are usually the most common reason for a visit to the doctor.Although ear infections are common at all ages, children are more prone to suffer from ear infections than adults. One out of five children will suffer from a middle ear infection at least once during childhood.

Otitis media (also called middle ear infection or glue ear) occurs due to clogged Eustachian tubes, narrow channels that pass through each middle ear and connect them to the back of the throat (behind the noise). This condition causes fluid buildup in the middle ear and malfunction of the Eustachian tubes which play a role in equalizing pressure between the middle ear and the outside and are responsible for normal secretion drainage out of the ear.
Once the fluid is infected by bacteria or viruses, it causes severe swelling of the eardrums and other ear infection symptoms, the most common being an ear pain.
 
In one of every four cases in children, ear infection is not caused by a bacterial infection but by a viral infection. Viral infections are much more difficult to eliminate.

Ear infections in children are more common since the Eustachian tubes (nasal passages) are narrower, a factor that renders them more susceptible to get clogged.

Common middle ear infection symptoms in children can include:

  • Mild hearing loss
  • Fever
  • Headache
  • Vomiting
  • Ringing/buzzing noises in the ear
  • Earache
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Irritability and/or excessive crying
  • Loss of balance
  • Babies tend to pull their ear when they experience ear pain


Detecting ear infections in children may sometimes be a hard task due to insufficient speech skills to inform their caretakers that something is wrong or bothering them.

In many cases, ear infections in children are accompanied by a common cold, sore throat or runny nose making it easier to recognize if your child's non-specific ear infection symptoms actually indicate he/she are suffering from an ear infection and are not just simply teething or overtiredness.

Most ear infections in children last only a few days, though hearing may remain diminished for weeks after the initial infection if not properly treated.

How to prevent ear infections in children
 

  • Teach your child how to properly blow his/her nose, in order to prevent driving infections into the ear.
  • Children who are exposed to cigarette smoking are more likely to suffer from middle ear infections in comparison to children who live in smoke free environments.
  • Regularly clean your children ear with a cotton swab after bathing.
  • Antihistamines or decongestants administration during a cold or other upper respiratory infection can assist in prevention.
  • Protect your child ears against cold winds, dusty or polluted atmosphere.
  • Use nasal spray- to wash out bacteria and other pollutants that cause infection and fluid buildup.


If you suspect your child suffers from an ear infection, it is important to confirm this with a pediatrician for an accurate diagnosis and treatment regimen.