Ear infections
Key points to remember about ear infections
ear infections are very common in young children
they can cause pain, and often fever
antibiotics are not always needed
pain relief is important
there may be some fluid in the space behind the ear drum (middle ear) for several weeks or months after the infection. This is normal, and usually clears up on its own
most children outgrow ear infections and have perfect and undamaged ears and normal hearing
if you think your child has an ear infection, take them to your family doctor
What does the inside of the ear look like?
Diagram of the inside of the ear
Diagram of the inside of the ear. Artwork copyright © Dr Peter Allen and printed with permission from the book 'Understanding ear infections'.
What is an ear infection and how does it develop?
Ear pain and concerns about hearing are one of the most common reasons parents take their young children to the doctor. The medical name for an ear infection is 'otitis media'.
There are 2 common types of middle ear problems:
an ear infection (acute otitis media) – discussed on this page
glue ear (otitis media with effusion or secretory otitis media)
Ear infections often happen either during or just after a cold, in the following way:
germs (bacteria and viruses) from a cold (or other upper respiratory infection) travel up the Eustachian tube which connects the space behind the ear drum (middle ear) to the back of the nose
the germs infect the space behind the ear drum
the swelling and inflammation of the Eustachian tube, as a result of the infection, can cause the tube to become blocked
as a result, air cannot reach the space behind the ear drum
fluid and pus collects in the space behind the ear drum (see diagram below left)
the ear drum bulges out and becomes red and painful (see diagram below right)
the rapid stretching of the ear drum causes your child pain, and the infective process can cause fever
- See more at: http://www.kidshealth.org.nz/ear-infections#sthash.2Lxk4uOg.dpuf