How to know if your child has an ear infection
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Transcript of How to know if your child has an ear infection
How to Know if Your Child Has an Ear Infection
Presentation prepared by Family First Pediatrics
An ear infection is an inflammation of the middle ear caused by bacteria.
According to the National Institute on
Deafness and Other Communication
Disorders, nearly 75 percent of children
will have at least one ear infection by
their third birthday.
In fact, ear infections account for the most common reason parents take their children to see a doctor.
Ear infections occur when the Eustachian tubes
– tubes located near the eardrum that connect
the ear to the back of the throat – become
blocked and aren’t able to properly drain fluid.
The fluid trapped in these tubes can become a
breeding ground for bacteria, resulting in redness
and inflammation of the eardrum.
An ear infection will usually make
your child pretty uncomfortable, so
a clear sign for babies and toddlers
will be an increase in overall
fussiness and crying.
Other signs that indicate your child is suffering from an ear
infection include:
Pain in the earOlder children will most likely tell you that their ears
hurt. Babies and toddlers, on the other hand, may tug at their ears and cry more than usual.
Difficulty sleeping
Your child may experience pain from pressure building in the ears which can cause difficulty
sleeping. They may have trouble both falling and staying asleep.
Trouble hearing
Fluid build-up in the ear can block sound, but hearing will usually return to normal once the
infection has cleared.
Fever A fever is a sign that the immune system is at work
trying to fight off the infection. Your child’s temperature may range from 99 to 104 degrees
Fahrenheit.
Yellow, white, or green drainage from the ear While not very common, this is a sign that the
eardrum has ruptured. The fluid blocked behind the eardrum can now leak out.
Most ear infections do not require antibiotic
therapy.
An ear infection will often go away within 2 or 3
days.
Antibiotics should only be given if there is high
fever, drainage, or the ear infection lasts for
more than 5 days.
Your pediatrician can prescribe analgesic or
pain medicines for your child’s comfort.
If your child exhibits signs of an ear infection,
schedule an appointment with a Winter Springs Pediatrician at Family First Pediatrics by calling
407-335-4760
http://familyfirstpeds.com/