5 Things You Need to Know About Ear Infections

1. What Causes Ear Infections?
Ear infections are also known as "otitis media" or literally, infection of the middle ear. It is the most common reason for pediatric visits to the doctor as more than 60 percent of children will have at least one episode prior to their first birthday.
Ear infections usually start after a cold or upper respiratory infection when fluid collects behind the ear drum and becomes secondarily infected with bacteria. As the pressure of the fluid increases, it presses against the ear drum, causes pain and sometimes rupture of the ear drum.
Risk factors for ear infections include age (under 18 months old), daycare, exposure to tobacco smoke (50 percent more likely to get ear infections), compromised immune system, family history and pacifier use.

2. How are Ear Infections Diagnosed?
Symptoms of an ear infection include fever, ear pain, hearing loss, vertigo, tugging at the ears, difficulty eating (in bottle feeders due to pressure when sucking), drainage from the ear and fussiness.
Ear infections are diagnosed by a healthcare provider when they use an otoscope to look into the outer ear canal and visualize the ear drum. The ear drum can appear red, dull and bulging when compared to the other ear.

3. How are Ear Infections Treated?
Treatment of ear infections includes antibiotics (amoxicillin is usually the first line treatment choice) for seven to 10 days, ibuprofen or acetaminophen for pain or analgesic ear drops. The patient should also have follow up within a few days if symptoms do not improve.

4. What are the Complications of Ear Infections?
Complications of ear infections include hearing loss and speech delays in young children, and can occur when a middle ear effusion (fluid behind the ear drum) persists longer than three months. If this occurs a referral to an ENT (ear, nose and throat) specialist is warranted and the patient will be evaluated for possible tympanostomy tubes (ear tubes) that allow the fluid to drain. Tubes improve hearing and decrease the number of recurrent infections.

5. How can Ear Infections be Prevented?
Ear infections can be prevented by breastfeeding for at least three months, avoiding the risk factors mentioned above (tobacco smoke exposure, pacifiers), remaining up to date with recommended childhood vaccines, surgery and long term antibiotics for recurrent infections.