| Ear infection (otitis media) in children | 8.00000000000000 | Ear infection (otitis media) in children | Ear infection (otitis media) in children | E | English | Otolaryngology | Baby (1-12 months);Toddler (13-24 months);Preschooler (2-4 years);School age child (5-8 years);Pre-teen (9-12 years) | Ears | NA | Conditions and diseases | Caregivers
Adult (19+) | Earache;Fever | | 2014-12-15T05:00:00Z | | | | | | 7.70000000000000 | 64.9000000000000 | 1456.00000000000 | | Health (A-Z) - Conditions | Health A-Z | <p>Otitis media is a middle ear infection caused by a backup of fluid behind the eardrum. Learn the causes, symptoms, prevention and treatment of otitis media. </p> | <h2>What is otitis media?</h2><p>Otitis media is another name for an infection of the middle ear. The middle ear is the space behind the eardrum. It can become infected by bacteria or viruses. </p>
<figure class="asset-c-80">
<span class="asset-image-title">Ear anatomy</span>
<img src="https://assets.aboutkidshealth.ca/akhassets/Ear_anatomy_V2_MED_ILL_EN.jpg" alt="Identification of each of the parts in the outer, middle, and inner ear" />
<figcaption class="asset-image-caption">The ear has three sections: the outer ear, the middle ear, and the inner ear. Each section is made up of smaller parts that work together to help you hear.</figcaption>
</figure> | | <h2>Key points</h2>
<ul>
<li>Otitis media is an infection of the middle ear. It is common in children, especially between the ages of six months and two years.</li>
<li>The infection can occur because of bacteria or viruses.</li>
<li>Give pain and fever medicine as needed. Wait and monitor your child before starting any antibiotics if they are usually healthy and aged over six months.</li>
<li>You can prevent repeat middle ear infections by washing your hands and your child's toys, following routine vaccination schedules and protecting your child from second-hand smoke.</li>
<li>See your doctor if your child's symptoms do not ease after taking an antibiotic for 48 hours. Go to your nearest emergency department if your child's pain gets worse or your child is lethargic or vomiting.</li>
</ul>
| | <h2>Symptoms of otitis media</h2>
<p>If a child develops otitis media, it usually happens after they have first had an upper respiratory tract infection such as a <a href="/Article?contentid=12&language=English">cold</a>. In children, the signs and symptoms of otitis media include:</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="/Article?contentid=30&language=English">fever</a></li>
<li><a href="/Article?contentid=750&language=English">earache</a></li>
<li>pulling or rubbing the ear</li>
<li>crying</li>
<li>not sleeping well</li>
<li>fluid draining from the ear.</li>
</ul>
<p>In some children, the eardrum develops a small perforation (hole) because of the pressure in the ear. The ear then drains a cloudy or yellow fluid. The hole usually heals within a week or so. In some children, repeated ear infections and perforations can lead to scarring of the eardrum and longer-term hearing problems.</p> | <h2>Causes of otitis media</h2><p>The Eustachian tube connects the ear to the back of the throat and helps ventilate (air) and drain the middle ear. Otitis media occurs when mucus or swollen tissues from a cold block the Eustachian tube. The blockage has two main results.</p><ul><li>It prevents the tube from ventilating the middle ear. This leads to changes in air pressure and possible pain, much like what occurs in an airplane during take-off or landing.</li><li>It causes fluid to build up in the ear and trap any bacteria that are already there. The fluid build-up can become infected and put pressure on the eardrum, which makes it bulge. This can be painful.<br></li></ul>
<figure class="asset-c-80">
<span class="asset-image-title">Otitis media</span>
<img src="https://assets.aboutkidshealth.ca/akhassets/IMD_otitis_media_EN.jpg" alt="Eardrum bulging outward due to fluid buildup in middle ear from swelling and mucus blocks in Eustachian tube" />
<figcaption class="asset-image-caption">In otitis media, the Eustachian tube is blocked. Fluid and pressure then build up in the middle ear. This makes the eardrum bulge outward and causes pain.</figcaption>
</figure>
<h2>Who is most at risk for otitis media?</h2><p>Otitis media is most common in children between the ages of six months and two years, but it can occur throughout childhood. Most children will have at least one ear infection. Some children will have many of them.</p><p>Children are at higher risk for middle ear infections because their Eustachian tubes are shorter and more likely to be blocked by
<a href="/Article?contentid=831&language=English">enlarged adenoids</a>. However, as a child gets older, their ear structures change and they grow out of the tendency to have ear infections.</p> | | <h2>How your child's doctor diagnoses otitis media</h2>
<p>Your child's doctor will need to examine your child to properly diagnose otitis media. They will look for any fluid in your child's ear and any change in the eardrum. The physical exam will also include a check of your child's neck and throat to see if there are any <a href="/Article?contentid=777&language=English">swollen lymph nodes</a>.</p> | | | <h2>How to care for your child with otitis media</h2>
<h3>Pain and fever relief</h3>
<p>Give your child <a href="/Article?contentid=62&language=English">acetaminophen</a> or <a href="/Article?contentid=153&language=English">ibuprofen</a> to help with any earache. These medicines usually begin to work within an hour. If your child needs an antibiotic (see below), continue giving pain relief until the antibiotic takes effect. The pain medicine will not affect the antibiotic.</p>
<h3>Antibiotics</h3>
<p>Not all ear infections need antibiotics. If the otitis media seems mild and your child is older than six months, your doctor may suggest avoiding antibiotics for a day or so to see if the infection goes away on its own.</p>
<p>Your child's doctor is more likely to prescribe antibiotics when:</p>
<ul>
<li>the otitis media looks worse</li>
<li>your child has a lot of pain or a high fever.</li>
</ul>
<p>Your child's doctor may also prescribe <a href="/Article?contentid=99&language=English">antibiotic ear drops</a> if your child's eardrum has burst and is draining fluid.</p>
<p>Antibiotics will kill the bacteria that have caused the ear infection. Although your child should feel better in a few days, you must continue give the antibiotic until it is finished. This will keep the ear infection from returning and reduce the chance of your child getting an infection that is harder to treat with antibiotics in the future.</p>
<h3>Day care and school</h3>
<p>Your child can go back to day care or school when the fever is gone and they feel better. Otitis media does not pass from one person to another.</p>
<h3>Other everyday activities</h3>
<p>Your child can go outside and need not have their ears covered. If the eardrum has perforated (burst), your child should avoid swimming until it has healed.</p>
<h3>Flying</h3>
<p>Flying in an airplane with an ear infection can make an earache worse and increase the chance that the eardrum will burst. However, it does not carry any other risks. Even still, you may decide to avoid flying until symptoms pass.</p>
<p>If flying is unavoidable, bring pain medicine with you on the plane. During take-off and landing, have your child suck on a pacifier (soother), drink fluids or chew gum. Swallowing often will help your child balance the pressure in their ears.</p>
<h2>Follow-up appointment</h2>
<p>Once your child finishes the antibiotic, you may want to make another appointment with their doctor. The doctor will make sure that your child no longer has symptoms and will check if any damage to the eardrum has healed.</p>
<p>If there is fluid behind the eardrum, it can last for weeks or months. The fluid will normally clear on its own, but your child's doctor may wish to monitor your child so they can check for any hearing loss. They may refer your child for a hearing test if needed.</p> | <h2>How to prevent otitis media</h2>
<ul>
<li>Colds can lead to otitis media. Try to keep your child away from people with colds, especially before your child is 12 months old. For young children with frequent illnesses and repeated ear infections, you may want to avoid large day care centres during your child's first year. Consider having a sitter watch your child in your home or at a small home-based day care.</li>
<li><a href="/Article?contentid=1981&language=English">Wash hands</a> and your child's toys often.</li>
<li>Schedule your child's vaccinations (shots) when they are due. Vaccinations such as the flu shot for influenza and the pneumococcal vaccine that is part of the routine vaccination schedule offer protection against acute otitis media.</li>
<li>Protect your child from second-hand tobacco smoke. Exposure to tobacco smoke can increase the number of infections.</li>
<li>If you can, offer your child only breast milk for at least the first three months. The antibodies in breast milk may reduce the rate of ear infections and reduce the risk of acute otitis media for your baby during the first six to 12 months of life.</li>
<li>If you bottle-feed, avoid propping the bottle. This causes the baby to suck excessively and generate extra pressure within the Eustachian tube.</li>
<li>If your child has had otitis media, try phasing out the use of a pacifier (soother). Using a pacifier may increase the risk of repeated ear infections.</li>
<li>Consider seeing your doctor if your toddler snores or breathes through their mouth. This can be a sign of large adenoids, which increase the risk of ear infections. Your family doctor can refer your child to a specialist to check their adenoids if necessary.</li>
</ul> | <h2>When to see a doctor about otitis media</h2>
<p>Call your child's doctor if:</p>
<ul>
<li>your child's fever or pain is not better after taking an antibiotic for 48 hours</li>
<li>fluid is always draining from their ear</li>
<li>you are concerned about your child's hearing.</li>
</ul>
<p>Take your child to the nearest emergency department or call 911 if:</p>
<ul>
<li>the pain gets worse, even after your child takes pain medicine</li>
<li>your child's neck gets painful or stiff</li>
<li>your child seems lethargic (sleepy) or very irritable (cranky)</li>
<li>your child is <a href="/Article?contentid=746&language=English">vomiting</a> (throwing up) repeatedly and cannot keep down their medicines or enough fluids</li>
<li>your child has redness and swelling behind their ear</li>
<li>your child's ear seems to stick out</li>
<li>your child develops a rash, a puffy face or puffy lips while taking the antibiotic.</li>
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