One of the most common childhood problems is ear infection. The ear gets infected when germs like viruses and bacteria cause trouble after getting into the ears. There are three different parts in the ear namely the outer, middle and inner.

Usually, infection occurs in the middle ear. When germs enter the ear, the area fills up with fluid called pus. When pus starts building up, it results in severe discomfort and pain. Common cold sometimes leads to the buildup of fluid behind the eardrum. This fluid by itself is harmless. Only if bacteria and viruses start breeding in it, infection occurs.

Here are 7 facts about ear infection you must know-

1. Ear infection will cause mild to severe pain that is predominantly because of the pressure caused on the eardrum when it is pushed by the fluid in the middle ear.

2. In younger children, chewing, lying down and sucking will cause changes in the pressure in the middle ear which will lead to pain. Children suffering from ear infection will be irritable and will not be able to sleep well.

3. When pressure buildup continues, the eardrum may rupture which leads to fluid drainage from the ear. When this happens, there will be temporary relief from pain.

4. If there is buildup of fluid in the middle ear, sound is blocked which may lead to temporary difficulty in hearing. You can confirm this if you find the child turning up television or radio volume, does not respond to soft sounds, is inattentive in school or suddenly starts talking louder.

5. Ear infection may lead to other symptoms such as nausea, fever, dizziness and vomiting.

6. Ear infection is not contagious and may sometimes occur due to cough and cold.

7. Middle ear infections last for two or three days even if not treated. If you approach the doctor, your child will be prescribed antibiotics.

After you identify symptoms of ear infection, it is recommended to contact the doctor immediately. Before prescribing medications, doctors will consider various factors such as type of infection, its severity, age of the patient, how long the symptoms have been present and the frequency in which the patient get ear infection.

If your child persistently suffers from ear infection, it is recommended to go for periodical ear examination. Doctors may decide to put the patient on antibiotics to reduce discomfort and may treat other associated symptoms such as fever with medications. If the eardrum is still intact, doctors may suggest using pain-relieving ear drops.

Certain children have other issues such as speech delay and/or hearing loss. These children may need ear tube surgery. In severe ear infection cases, ENT doctor may suggest inserting tubes into the tympanic membrane also known as tympanostomy tubes through surgery. This will help stabilize pressure by draining the fluid from the middle ear.

Ear infection is a painful condition that usually does not require medical attention. If the pain persists it is recommended to visit your doctor.

A federal law that has a control over the employer plan from excluding certain pre-existing conditions and that offers enhanced security for health information of patients is called the HIPAA Privacy Rule. The rule also discourages any discrimination against employees and their families regarding previous claims, prior medical conditions and genetic information.

For more information, please visit our HIPAA Privacy Rule website.

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Category: Medicines and Remedies
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