( Ear infection )

Ear Infections in Babies and Children And Its Awareness and Remedies 

Ear infections in babies and young children are common, especially after a cold or flu. Signs of an ear infection include fussiness, tugging at the ear, fever, and a loss of appetite. Fortunately, most kids get better with a few days rest, lots of fluids, and an over-the-counter pain reliever (if recommended by the doctor). But if your baby is 6 months or younger, showing symptoms in both ears, or has severe symptoms such as a fever higher than 102 degrees F, see your child's doctor and discuss the possibility of antibiotic treatment.

What Is Air Infection?

Also Called Attias Media, On-Air Infection References To Inflammatory Your Infection of the middle ear (The Little ear-filled pocket behind the eardrum).

     There are a few different types of middle ear infections, but one of the most commonly experienced by babies and children is called Acute Otitis Media (AOM). In this type of ear infection, fluid is trapped behind the eardrum, and parts of the middle ear become infected and swollen. This causes pain in the affected ear and your baby may also develop a fever.

Causes of Ear Infection in Babies and Children

An ear infection is usually caused by bacteria and often begins after a child has a sore throat, cold, or other upper respiratory infection. If the upper respiratory infection is bacterial, these same bacteria may spread to the middle ear; If the upper respiratory infection is caused by a virus, such as a cold, bacteria may be drawn to the microbe-friendly environment and move into the middle ear as a secondary infection. Because of the infection, fluid builds up behind the eardrum.

The ear has three major parts: the outer ear, the middle ear, and the inner ear. The outer ear also called the pinna, includes everything we see on the outside — the curved flap of the ear leading down to the earlobe — but it also includes the ear canal, which begins at the opening to the ear and extends to the eardrum. The eardrum is a membrane that separates the outer ear from the middle ear.

The middle ear — which is where the ear infections occur — is located between the eardrum and the inner ear. Within the middle ear are three tiny bones called the malleus, incus, and stapes that transmit sound vibrations from the eardrum to the inner ear. The bones of the middle ear are surrounded by air.

The inner ear contains the labyrinth, which helps us keep our balance. The cochlea, a portion of the labyrinth, is a snail-shaped organ that converts sound vibrations from the middle ear into electrical signals. The auditory nerve carries these signals from the cochlea to the brain.

Other nearby parts of the ear can also be associated with ear infections. The eustachian tube is a small passageway that connects the upper part of the throat to the middle ear. Its job is to supply fresh air to the middle ear, drain fluid, and keep air pressure at a steady level between the nose and the ear.

Adenoids are small pads of tissue located behind the nose, upper throat, and near the eustachian tubes. Adenoids are recently made up of immune system cells. They fight off infection by trapping bacteria that enter through the mouth.

Signs of  Yea's Infection in Babies and Children

The easiest way to tell if your baby might have an ear infection (or any other illness, for that matter) is by observing a change in her mood.

1. Cold and flu-like symptoms

Ear infections can sometimes go hand in hand with a cold. Cold symptoms (everything from chills to vomiting and diarrhoea) can sometimes be a sign that there is an ear infection present or is coming in the near future.

2. Yellowish or whitish fluid from the ear

With some infections, you will notice that there is a liquid discharge from the ear. The fluid tends to be yellow or white in colour. This is a sure sign of an infection. It also means that your child has a ruptured eardrum, but do not panic, as the eardrum will repair itself once the infection has been taken care of.

( Like the above title picture)

3. Bad smell

Infections can cause a bad odour that will originate from the source area of the infection. If your baby's ear has a terrible smell coming from it, it is more likely to be infected.

4. Tugging at their ear

Even though babies can't talk as we do, they will often do things that can communicate a problem. In the case of an ear infection, a baby may pull, tug, and grab their ear consistently. While babies will do this without having an ear infection, if you start seeing it a lot, you may want to investigate further.

5. Fussiness

Another possible signal that a baby is suffering from an ear infection is that they are particularly fussy or irritable, especially when they are trying to sleep. Much like the ear-tugging, this symptom can be a little harder to separate from a child's normal fussiness, but it's something to keep in mind.


[ Hope, now that you have learned about the symptoms and signs that your baby may have an ear infection, it is time to cover the causes of the infection itself. ]

Ear Infection Treatment in Babies and Children



Treatment depends on the severity of the infection and the age of your child. Babies who are 6 months and younger, and children with severe cases, may need to be treated with antibiotics. For most other children, doctors recommend a wait-and-see approach for two to three days, as ear infections usually clear up on their own. (About 80 per cent of kids with AOM get better without antibiotics.)

For years, antibiotics were the first line of defence against ear infections, but now doctors are prescribing them more judiciously. Taking antibiotics is often a concern because it can set children up to be vulnerable to antibiotic-resistant infections.

Don't waste time, go to your child's doctor ( ENT), whether the doctor recommends watchful waiting or prescription of proper medicine. The doctor may suggest an approach like this:

◾ If your child is between 6 and 24 months old and has mild symptoms in only one ear, or if he has at least 2 and has mild symptoms affecting one or both ears, keep an eye on his condition first. Your child's doctor may also suggest an over-the-counter pain reliever to help him feel better.

◾ If your child's 'improve in 48 to 12 hours', follow up with your child's doctor, paediatrician, who may considerate starting on an antibiotic.

◾ If babies 6 months or younger; infants don't yet have a strong immune system and are other especially vulnerable to complications from AOM.


◾ Children's between 6 and 24 months old who have AOM affecting both ears (even without severe symptoms)


◾ If your child needs an antibiotic, give him the whole course, even after he seems to feel better. Then have his ear rechecked a few weeks later so the doctor can make sure the medication worked.


◾ If your child doesn't 'improve after 48 to 72 hours on the antibiotics, let the doctor know. A doctor may want to switch medications.

Some Home Remedies and Ways to Treat Penn And Discomfort

1️⃣ Pain reliever.  The correct dose of infant acetaminophen or ibuprofen (only give ibuprofen if your child is 6 months or older) can relieve pain. If your child is younger than 3 months, ask her doctor before giving her any medication.

2️⃣ Warm Compress:  Hold it gently to your child's ear to help relief pen. Lots of fluids. Encourage your baby to drink more fluids, as swallowing helps to drain the middle ear and relieve painful pressure. If you have an infant, offer the breast or bottle more frequently. Encourage your toddler or older child to sip on water throughout the day.



💥💥 Here's What Not To Do:


If your child is 3 years or younger, do not give your child over-the-counter (OTC) cough and cold medications such as decongestants or antihistamines. Not only will this help her get better, but they can also cause dangerous side effects in young children. (The AAP does not recommend OTC cough and cold medications for children under the age of 6, though some doctors may recommend it for 4- and 5-year-olds. Be sure to follow your doctor's advice.)

Never give your child aspirin because it makes him/her more susceptible to Reye's Syndrome, a rare but potentially fatal disease.

Ear Infections will Happen!

Remember, getting sick is a part of life. We all get sick at one point or another. It's how we end up growing resistance to illnesses. Your baby will get sick, and more than likely, your baby will get an ear infection. The important thing is to recognize the infection, get a doctor's advice, and then treat the ear infection properly.





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