03/21/2022
How can I tell if my child has an ear infection?
An ear infection is an inflammation of the middle ear, usually caused by bacteria, that occurs when fluid builds up behind the eardrum. While anyone can get an ear infection, children get them most often.
5 out of 6 children will get at least one ear infection before their third birthday!
How can I tell if my child has an ear infection?
Most ear infections happen to children before they’ve learned how to talk. If your child isn’t old enough to say “My ear hurts,” here are a few things to look for:
Tugging or pulling at the ear(s)
Fussiness and crying
Trouble sleeping
Fever (especially in infants and younger children)
Fluid draining from the ear
Clumsiness or problems with balance
Trouble hearing or responding to quiet sounds
Causes for ear infections:
Most ear infections occur after your child has had some sort of viral or bacterial illness, and some of that bacteria can move to the middle ear as a secondary infection. Because of this infection, fluid tends to build up behind the ear drum, which can cause pain.
How is an ear infection treated?
Many doctors will prescribe an antibiotic, such as amoxicillin, to be taken over seven to 10 days, however, If your doctor isn’t able to make a definite diagnosis of OM and your child doesn’t have severe ear pain or a fever, your doctor might ask you to wait a day or two to see if the earache goes away. If there’s no improvement within 48 to 72 hours from when symptoms began, the guidelines recommend doctors start antibiotic therapy. If your child is prescribed antibiotic therapy, it is very important that they take the full course even if their symptoms improve!
Do you think your child may have an ear infection? Make an appointment for us to see them today!
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