Early Childhood Education JEE.

13

Ear Infections 2

Infections in ear are very common in children. Children are more prone to ear infections

because their small ears do not drain fluid as well as adult ears. Kid's immune systems are also

immature, and this increases the likelihood of certain infections. There are three types of ear

infections. Each type is defined according to where they occur in the ear canal e.g. Swimmer's

Ear (Outer Ear Infection), Middle Ear Infection, Inner Ear Infection (Labyrinthitis). Middle ear

infections occur most in children and are caused by bacteria and viruses. Swelling from an upper

respiratory infection or allergy can block the Eustachian tubes, which would prevent air from

reaching the middle ear. A vacuum and suction then pull fluid and germs from the nose and

throat into the middle ear. Since the tubes are swollen, the fluid cannot drain. This provides a

medium for the growth of bacteria or virus, which leads to a middle ear infection.

Symptoms:

Symptoms of a middle ear infections tend to occur 2 to 7 days after the start of a cold or other

respiratory infection. Middle ear infection symptoms may include:

 Fever; (increase in body temperature)

 Drainage from the ear that is thick and yellow or bloody

 Loss of appetite

 Vomiting, and grumpy behavior

 Not able to sleep

In this essay, some strategies to prevent and treat this infection will be discussed in detail in

upcoming paragraphs.

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 Early Childhood Education JEE. 13

Ear Infections 2

Some points to prevent this infection are given below;

 Wash your child’s hands and your own often to reduce the chance of catching a cold.

 Breastfeed your baby.

 Avoid bottle-feeding your baby when she is lying down. Never put your baby to bed

with a bottle.

 Transition your baby from a bottle to a cup by 1 year of age.

 Don’t use a pacifier (soother) too often.

 Don’t smoke, and keep your child away from any second-hand smoke. Exposure to

smoke can increase the risk of ear infections.

 Ensure your child gets the pneumococcal vaccine (if they are at least 2 months of age,

and have not already had this shot).

 Ensure your child gets a flu shot every year. 

The above mentioned points should be followed for the wellness of child any of then

can not be neglected. This age is very critical, and they need some extra attention.

Unfortunately if a child or any individual is infected with this virus or bacteria, there

are some strategies to control are mentioned below;

 If a child doesn’t have too much discomfort or a high fever, the doctor will likely wait

24 to 48 hours (1 to 2 days) to see if the ear infection gets better on its own. If the child

Early Childhood Education JEE. 13

 Early Childhood Education JEE. 13

Ear Infections 2

does not improve or gets worse, you should take him back to the doctor.

 You child’s doctor will prescribe antibiotics if:

1. your child is moderately to severely ill with a high fever (more than 39◦C),

2. your child has severe pain,

3. the condition has not improved for 48 hours, or

4. the ear canal has new fluid. 

 For an uncomplicated ear infection, children between 6 months and 2 years usually take

an antibiotic for 10 days. Children over 2 years of age will take an antibiotic for 5 days.

 The doctor might suggest acetaminophen or ibuprofen to reduce the child’s pain. Only

give ibuprofen if your child is drinking reasonably well. Do not give ibuprofen to

babies under 6 months old without first talking to your doctor.

 Do not give over-the-counter medications (ones you can buy without a prescription) to

babies and children under 6 years without first talking to your doctor. The only

exceptions are medications used to treat fever, such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen.

Children will feel better within 1 day of starting an antibiotic. Your doctor might want to

see your child again to be sure the infection has cleared up completely. Fluid can remain in the

middle ear without inflammation for a few weeks.

Early Childhood Education JEE. 13

Early Childhood Education JEE. 13

Ear Infections 2

Early Childhood Education JEE. 13