Ear Infections & care
This topic covers infections of the middle ear (otitis media).
What is a middle ear infection?A middle ear infection (otitis media) is an inflammation or infection of the middle ear. It often begins when a cold causes the eustachian tube, which connects the middle ear to the throat, to swell and close. Instead of running down this tube, the extra fluid that comes along with a cold builds up in the middle ear. Bacteria or viruses can grow in the fluid and cause an ear infection.
This condition is most common in young children, because their eustachian tubes are shorter and more easily blocked than those in older children and adults.
There are two main types of otitis media.
Acute otitis media is an infection of the middle ear. The infection causes ear pain (sometimes severe). At times, fever is present.
Otitis media with effusion is a buildup of fluid in the middle ear without infection. Your child may not feel sick, but the fluid can cause some hearing loss or a feeling of "stuffiness" in the ears.
What causes middle ear infection?Bacteria or viruses cause a middle ear infection. The pain of an infection develops suddenly, often after a cold has started. A cold can cause the eustachian tubes, which lead from the ear to the throat, to close or narrow. When the fluid from the cold has nowhere to go, it pools in the middle ear. This creates a perfect breeding ground for bacteria and viruses.
You can have fluid buildup without infection. This is called otitis media with effusion. Swollen eustachian tubes also cause this condition.
What are the symptoms of middle ear infection?
The main symptom of a middle ear infection is earache (mild to severe). Infants and young children may pull at their ears and cry. They may also have trouble sleeping or hearing. You may notice thick, yellow fluid draining from the ear. This happens when the eardrum has burst and fluid flows out of the hole in the eardrum. Fever is sometimes present.
When fluid buildup occurs without infection (otitis media with effusion) children often say their ears feel "stuffy" or full. Children with this condition may not hear well, though hearing usually returns to normal after the fluid is gone. Some children who have fluid buildup may not have any symptoms.
How is a middle ear infection diagnosed?
Health professionals discover middle ear infections by talking to you about your child's health history and performing a physical exam. An ear exam using a pneumatic otoscope, a handheld tool, allows a health professional to look inside the ear for signs of infection.
How is a middle ear infection treated?Treating the symptoms at home may be all you need to do for both middle ear infection and fluid buildup without infection. Up to 80% of ear infections get better without treatment.
Pain relievers such as acetaminophen (for example, Tylenol) can help relieve ear pain. However, do not give aspirin to anyone younger than 20 because its use may cause Reye's syndrome, a serious illness that requires emergency treatment.
Worldwide, medical experts are rethinking the use of antibiotics to treat ear infections. One reason is that many of these infections are caused by viruses. Antibiotics don't work on viral infections. Also, the majority of ear infections heal on their own without treatment. Another reason is that overuse of antibiotics can create bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics. This means the antibiotics may have no effect on future infections.
Still, antibiotics are often given to treat middle ear infections. Some doctors prescribe antibiotics to treat all ear infections. Others may ask parents of otherwise healthy children age 6 months and older to watch their child's symptoms for a couple of days. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Family Physicians recommend watchful waiting for otherwise healthy children 6 months to 2 years who have mild symptoms. If the child starts feeling better, antibiotics aren't necessary. If the child hasn't improved, you can start antibiotics.
Experts may suggest ear tubes for young children with fluid buildup (otitis media with effusion) that has gone on for 3 to 4 months and who also have hearing loss. The tubes, surgically inserted through the eardrums, drain fluid in the middle ear and improve hearing. About 80% of children need no further treatment after tubes are in place.
Can frequent ear infections lead to hearing loss?
Repeated ear infections and ongoing fluid behind the eardrum rarely cause permanent hearing loss. They can cause temporary hearing loss. Hearing loss is of greater concern for young children because normal hearing is critical while developing basic skills, such as talking.
This topic covers infections of the middle ear (otitis media).
What is a middle ear infection?A middle ear infection (otitis media) is an inflammation or infection of the middle ear. It often begins when a cold causes the eustachian tube, which connects the middle ear to the throat, to swell and close. Instead of running down this tube, the extra fluid that comes along with a cold builds up in the middle ear. Bacteria or viruses can grow in the fluid and cause an ear infection.
This condition is most common in young children, because their eustachian tubes are shorter and more easily blocked than those in older children and adults.
There are two main types of otitis media.
Acute otitis media is an infection of the middle ear. The infection causes ear pain (sometimes severe). At times, fever is present.
Otitis media with effusion is a buildup of fluid in the middle ear without infection. Your child may not feel sick, but the fluid can cause some hearing loss or a feeling of "stuffiness" in the ears.
What causes middle ear infection?Bacteria or viruses cause a middle ear infection. The pain of an infection develops suddenly, often after a cold has started. A cold can cause the eustachian tubes, which lead from the ear to the throat, to close or narrow. When the fluid from the cold has nowhere to go, it pools in the middle ear. This creates a perfect breeding ground for bacteria and viruses.
You can have fluid buildup without infection. This is called otitis media with effusion. Swollen eustachian tubes also cause this condition.
What are the symptoms of middle ear infection?
The main symptom of a middle ear infection is earache (mild to severe). Infants and young children may pull at their ears and cry. They may also have trouble sleeping or hearing. You may notice thick, yellow fluid draining from the ear. This happens when the eardrum has burst and fluid flows out of the hole in the eardrum. Fever is sometimes present.
When fluid buildup occurs without infection (otitis media with effusion) children often say their ears feel "stuffy" or full. Children with this condition may not hear well, though hearing usually returns to normal after the fluid is gone. Some children who have fluid buildup may not have any symptoms.
How is a middle ear infection diagnosed?
Health professionals discover middle ear infections by talking to you about your child's health history and performing a physical exam. An ear exam using a pneumatic otoscope, a handheld tool, allows a health professional to look inside the ear for signs of infection.
How is a middle ear infection treated?Treating the symptoms at home may be all you need to do for both middle ear infection and fluid buildup without infection. Up to 80% of ear infections get better without treatment.
Pain relievers such as acetaminophen (for example, Tylenol) can help relieve ear pain. However, do not give aspirin to anyone younger than 20 because its use may cause Reye's syndrome, a serious illness that requires emergency treatment.
Worldwide, medical experts are rethinking the use of antibiotics to treat ear infections. One reason is that many of these infections are caused by viruses. Antibiotics don't work on viral infections. Also, the majority of ear infections heal on their own without treatment. Another reason is that overuse of antibiotics can create bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics. This means the antibiotics may have no effect on future infections.
Still, antibiotics are often given to treat middle ear infections. Some doctors prescribe antibiotics to treat all ear infections. Others may ask parents of otherwise healthy children age 6 months and older to watch their child's symptoms for a couple of days. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Family Physicians recommend watchful waiting for otherwise healthy children 6 months to 2 years who have mild symptoms. If the child starts feeling better, antibiotics aren't necessary. If the child hasn't improved, you can start antibiotics.
Experts may suggest ear tubes for young children with fluid buildup (otitis media with effusion) that has gone on for 3 to 4 months and who also have hearing loss. The tubes, surgically inserted through the eardrums, drain fluid in the middle ear and improve hearing. About 80% of children need no further treatment after tubes are in place.
Can frequent ear infections lead to hearing loss?
Repeated ear infections and ongoing fluid behind the eardrum rarely cause permanent hearing loss. They can cause temporary hearing loss. Hearing loss is of greater concern for young children because normal hearing is critical while developing basic skills, such as talking.
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