What Is a Middle Ear Infection?
Middle ear infection (otitis media) is an infection behind the eardrum.
It is common in young children and can cause fever and earaches. Middle
ear infection is usually not serious, but it can be painful. Most children
will have at least one middle ear infection by the time they are three years
old. Some children may have a number of infections each year. By the age
of six, most children are growing out of middle ear infections and are not
likely to suffer long term problems.
See your doctor if your child:
● Has a high fever or bad earache.
● Has an ear discharge that lasts more than 24 hours.
● Continues to have fever or bad earache 48 hours
after starting treatment.
● Still seems hard of hearing after six to eight
weeks.
● Seems to be getting worse, or you are worried
at any time.
What Causes Middle Ear Infections?
Middle ear infections are usually caused by a viral or bacterial infection,
and often occur during or after a child have a cold.
Does Your Child Have a Middle
Ear Infection?
Young children and babies might
only seem feverish and unwell at first. The ear infection may only be detected
when your doctor checks the ears. Some signs to look for are:
● Fever–high
temperature may be the only sign you notice in a baby or young child.
● Earache–pain in the ear or face, which can be
severe.
● Mild deafness–hearing is affected by fluid build
up from the infection.
● Ear discharge–the eardrum bursts due to pressure
of fluid behind the eardrum. (This immediately relieves the earache and
the drum usually heals very quickly.)
How Is a Middle Ear Infection Treated?
Pain Relief
Pain can be helped by:
● Paracetamol
(for example, Panadol, Tempra, Dymadon) in the correct dose up to every
four hours, but not more than four doses in 24 hours, for up to 48 hours.
● Raising the head of your child's bed.
● Antibiotics (Medicine)
Most cases of middle ear infection can get better without antibiotics. In
mild cases, the pain gets better after three to five hours. Your child should
recover quickly. Continue to use paracetamol for the first 48 hours after
commencing antibiotic medication. This ensures that pain relief continues,
while the antibiotics start to work on the infection.
If antibiotics are prescribed make sure that your child finishes the medicine
(usually after five to seven days). The medicine should be given according
to instructions. This means your child must keep taking the medicine even
if seeming better after a day or two.
See your doctor again if your child still has a fever or severe earache
48 hours later.
Ear Drops
Ear drops may occasionally be prescribed by your doctor. Other medications,
such as decongestants, do not help middle ear infections.
Swimming
If your child seems well, there
is no reason why they cannot go swimming and get their head wet. If your
child has an ear discharge, or if your child has tubes or grommets, this
should be discussed with your doctor before your child goes swimming.
What Is Glue Ear?
Some children may get glue ear after a middle ear infection. This means
that there is thick fluid in the middle ear which can make your child slightly
deaf.
This is usually not permanent and the fluid will go away after a few weeks.
Your child may not be in pain or have a fever.
Most children do not suffer lasting problems from glue ear. If you have
any concerns about your child's hearing, ask for advice about a full hearing
test. It is important to have the problem treated, as hearing difficulties
over several months can result in speech delay and behaviour problems.
Sometimes a referral to an ear, nose and throat specialist may be needed
if your child has many ear infections or has persistent deafness.
Where to Get Further Information
● Your
doctor.
● An ear, nose and throat specialist referred by
your doctor.
● Your local maternal and child health nurse.
● Your local hospital emergency or casualty department.
See your doctor if you are concerned about your child's health.
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