Middle ear infections are common in many infants, toddlers and small children, and may present itself with redness, soreness, infection or inflammation. Medically termed "Acute Otitis Media," or AOM, this condition is often followed by an accumulation of fluid in the middle ear, called OME. Middle ear infections affect the middle portion of the ear where nerves and small bones join with the eardrum and the eustachian tube. Middle ear infections are typically caused by bacteria that enter through the outer ear. The resulting infection may cause a buildup of fluid that often occur simultaneously with head colds or illnesses that involve the nose and throat.Identifying symptoms of middle ear infection will result in prompt treatment, pain relief and fewer chances of complications such as chronic otitis media, serious ear problems and potential hearing loss.
Instructions
1. Watch for signs of pain in the ear that may be identified by the child clasping the ear, holding it, rubbing it or tugging on it. In infants, toddlers and very small children who are often unable to express distress, a parent may often observe signs of redness or irritation on the outside of the ear, or just inside the ear canal.
2. Pay attention to your child's behavior. Is he cranky or irritable? Is he crying more than usual? Children who are unable to express their symptoms may be fussy for no apparent reason.
3. Look at your child's ear. Do you see any drainage or discharge leaking from the ear? If so, contact your pediatrician immediately. While discharge may be the result of a cold, it's better not to take chances.
4. Listen to your child if she complains of being dizzy or you notice that she seems to be having trouble with balance. A person's sense of balance is in the middle ear, and any infection or damage may cause instability.
5. Take your child's temperature. While middle ear infections don't always display a fever, sometimes they do. Note any temperature and notify your pediatrician if acetaminophen does not relieve the symptoms within a few hours.
Tags: your child, Middle infections, infants toddlers, middle infection,