Ear infections
When children get a cold, ear infections can flare up quickly. Usually it's the middle ear, behind the eardrum, that's affected. The main culprit is the Eustachian tube. This connects the middle ear to the back of the nose and throat. Its function is to let air into the middle ear while keeping out debris from the throat. It also lets any fluid that may collect in the middle ear drain to the throat.
In children the Eustachian tube is shorter, wider and more horizontal than in adults. This means debris and bacteria can travel up more easily from the nose and throat to the ear. It also means that any pus or fluid that does collect in the ear cannot drain away so easily to the throat.
So when children get a cold, affecting the nose and throat, an ear infection often follows. When this happens the Eustachian tube swells and closes, trapping infected fluid in the middle ear and creating a breeding ground for germs.
How do I know my child has an ear infection?
- Most ear infections hurt. The pain is often worse at night and you may be woken by a screaming child at 2.00am.
- Young children may just be irritable, cry and refuse to feed.
- There may be a fever. This is more common in younger children.
- Some may pull at their ears. (Don't be fooled by this though. Children often pull at their ears because they are itchy, irritated by soap or shampoo - nothing to do with an infection.)
- Older children may tell you their ears hurt.
Yes. The doctor will look at the eardrum with something called an auroscope. Important things - like the brain - lie so close to the ears that most doctors will want your child to have antibiotics to help clear up the infection as quickly as possible and prevent it spreading.
Does anything else help?
- Painkillers are important. Give your child regular Calpol (do not give aspirin to children).
- Warmth is soothing for some children. Try holding a hot water bottle wrapped in a towel against the ear. Make sure the bottle is warm not hot.
- Over-the-counter decongestants and antihistamines will not help clear up the infection but might help symptoms.
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