Middle Ear Infection in children

What Are Middle Ear Infections?

Middle Ear is the space behind the eardrum. When the middle ear is infected with viruses or bacteria, pus (infected fluid) will start to spread out. Ear infection (also named otitis media) can be very painful when the pus pressure over the eardrum.

Why Do Kids Get Ear Infections?

Kid from 0 - 4 years old has a higher chance of getting ear infections than adults do for several reason

  • Eustachian tubes in kids are shorter and more horizontal which more easily get infected by viruses and bacteria. The tubes are also narrower and are more likely to get blocked.
  • Their adenoids, gland-like structures at the back of the throat, are larger and can interfere with the opening of the eustachian tubes.
  • Other things that can put kids at risk include secondhand smoke, bottle-feeding, and being around other kids in childcare. Ear infections are more common in boys than girls.

Ear infections are not contagious, but the colds that sometimes cause them can be. Infections are common during winter weather, when many people get upper respiratory tract infections or colds (a child with an ear infection also might have cold symptoms, like a runny or stuffy nose or a cough).

Signs & Symptoms of an Ear Infection?

Middle ear infection usually causes ear pain. Moreover, for kids, Otitis Media can also cause fever and trouble while eating, drinking or sleeping due to the fact that chewing, sucking and lying down can cause pain in the middle ear.

You should take very good care of the young child as if they get a middle ear infection, they cannot complain about the pain but only tend to cry more than usual.

Middle ear infection can develop and rupture the eardrum if the pressure from the fluid gets high enough. A child with a ruptured eardrum can get dizzy or nauseated and have ringing or buzzing in the ear.

How Do Ear Infections Happen?

Otitis media normally caused by the swelling in one or both of the eustachian tubes. These tubes allow mucus to go through the middle ear into the throat.

Swelling eustachian tubes can be caused by a cold, throat infection, acid reflux or allergies, which blocks the mucus from draining. Afterward, viruses or bacteria develop and produce pus and infect the middle ear.

How Long Do Ear Infections Last?

For most cases, middle ear infection can go away without any specific treatment after 2 or 3 days. For some cases, an infection can last longer (with the fluid staying in the middle ear upto 6 weeks or longer), even after antibiotic treatment.

How To Prevent Kids From Middle Ear Infection?

Some lifestyles and habits could help to prevent kids from middle ear infection:

  • Breastfeed infants for at least the first 6 months to prevent the early development of otitis media.
  • Secondhand smoking can harm the kids and increase the chance to get ear infection. Please do not let your child be exposed to smokers.
  • Personal hygiene is important to prevent the spread of germs which can result in colds, and afterwards, ear infections.
  • Children’s immunizations are important in many means. Keeping your child vaccinations up to date can help prevent ear infections.

Can Ear Infections Affect Hearing?

Ear infections causing fluid to build up in the middle ear and blocking sound, which can lead to temporary hearing problems. Below are some signs that kids might have when experiencing hearing problems:

  • Do not respond to soft sounds
  • Need to turn up the TV or Computer speaker
  • Speak louder than normal
  • Can be inattentive at school

If the eardrum ruptures, the child can feel ringing or buzzing in the ear and might not have a normal hearing.

What should I do if I think my child has a middle ear infection?

If your child has a combination of earache and fever, you can come and see one of our pediatricians at FMP Hanoi for screening and consultation.

In a rare case, ear infections don’t go away or repeated middle ear infection can cause complications. Moreover, your child can have a foreign object in the ear, or hard earwax which needs a doctor to help with your child’s discomfort and treatment.

To book an appointment, you can contact us in the following ways:

Phone: 02438430748 ext 112 or 119

Email: hanoi@vietnammedicalpractice.com

WhatsApp/ Zalo: 0944431919