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Causes of Ear Infection in Children
Ear infections are quite common in young children. The infection may involve the outer ear (otitis externa) or middle ear (otitis media). If your child has outer ear infection, he or she may have symptoms of ear pain, itch and itch that may have ear discharge. Middle ear infection in children have symptoms of fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, drowsiness and loses the child’s appetite.
Middle ear infection, also known as acute otitis media, is a common childhood illness that occurs when the middle ear becomes inflamed and filled with fluid. There are several causes of middle ear infection in children, including:
Symptoms of Middle Ear Infection in Children
Treatment for Middle Ear Infection
Most middle ear infections should clear up on their own within a few days to a week and don’t require any treatment. However, if your child experiences discomfort, treatment can be sought to relieve symptoms and speed up the recovery process. Antibiotics may be indicated in specific cases depending on the age of the child, if one or both sides are involved and the degree of symptoms. For example, children suffering from an ear infection caused by bacteria will be given antibiotics. Medications such as paracetamol or ibuprofen may also be prescribed to help reduce pain and get rid of their fever.
How to prevent a middle ear infection in children
There are several steps that parents can take to help prevent middle ear infections in children.
Bacteria such as Streptococcus Pneumoniae and viruses such as colds are common causes of ear infections in children.
Most ear infections in children should go away on their own without treatment. But if your child is experiencing severe or persistent symptoms, do seek medical attention.
Regularly cleaning your child’s ears is one step towards preventing ear infections.
Use a damp cloth to gently clean the outside of your child’s ears. You may use ear wax removal drops to clean the inside of your child’s ears. Do not insert any objects into your child’s ears.
You should bring your child to the doctor to get the ear infection checked out if your child’s symptoms persist for more than three days, worsens, or if your child is experiencing severe symptoms.