What
are symptoms of a middle ear infection (otitis media)?
- earache
- tugging,
pulling, or rubbing ears
- discharge
or drainage from ears
- hearing
loss
- loss
of appetite
- fever
What
is the cause of a middle ear infection?
Middle
ear infections occur when the Eustachian tubes of the middle
ear become swollen or blocked causing pressure and fluid to
build on the eardrum. Ear infections can be caused by a virus
or a bacteria. Although ear infections are not contagious,
viruses that can lead to them can be.
Treatment
of ear infections
It
is a common belief of parents that all ear infections need
to be treated with antibiotics. This belief is untrue. Although,
ear infections caused by bacteria need to be treated with
antibiotics, ear infections caused by viruses do not. Using
antibiotics to treat an ear infection caused by a virus will
not speed recovery and may in fact contribute to antibiotic
resistance. Approximately 80 percent of children with abnormally
looking ears will get better without the use of antibiotics.
(Bell, Brooks, Manning, Steinmann, 1998) It can be difficult
to differentiate whether an ear infection is caused by a bacteria
or a virus so your doctor may take a wait and see approach.
Viral infections will usually show improvement within a day
or so. If your child has a fever or is in severe pain, your
doctor may choose to prescribe an antibiotic. In either case,
consulting your doctor is advised.
Your
doctor may recommend the use of Tylenol to help with any associated
pain and/or fever. Heating pads have also shown to be helpful
in providing comfort.
Recurrent
ear infections
Some
children will experience recurrent ear infections that do
not respond to treatment. For some children, the placement
of tubes in the ears is necessary.
References
NIDCD,
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communicable Disorders,
Statistics about Hearing Disorders, Ear Infections, and Deafness.
Retrieved August 8, 2005, from http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/statistics/hearing.asp
Bell,
l., Brooks, J, Manning, M., Steinmann, M. (1998). Guide
to Common Childhood Infections. New York, NY: Macmillan
Publishing
Izenberg,
N. (2003). Human Diseases and Conditions Supplement 2:
Infections Diseases. New York, NY: Scribner
