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Sometimes, the ear drum bursts, releasing the fluid and making the child feel better. (Burst ear drums usually heal up by themselves.) prefer to use antibiotics to clear up severe cases.

Four out of 5 children will get a middle ear infection at least once.

Some of the symptoms of middle ear infection include: loss of appetite

Sound doesn’t travel well through fluid, so a child with an ear infection may have hearing difficulties.

To them, normal speech will sound like a whisper. This only lasts as long as the infection, with no link to any permanent hearing loss.

, simply because they can’t hear very well

Babies and young children are more likely to develop middle ear infections because they are still building up their immunity. Once a child reaches the age of around 6, infections are less common because the tube connecting the nose to the ear, called the Eustachian tube, is mature. You can reduce the risk by:.

Propping up a bottle with the child lying down should be avoided as milk may enter the Eustachian tube and increase the risk of ear infection is a risk factor. Mild infections clear up by themselves in a matter of hours.

Over-the-counter painkillers can help the child feel more comfortable

In more severe cases, antibiotics might be needed.

‘Glue ear’, when the ear fills up with thick fluid, can develop after a middle ear infection.

If antibiotics can’t clear the pus, an operation might be needed.

A small hole is made and a tube called a grommet is inserted to help drain the fluid. In some cases, an injection of a strong antibiotic can be used. Glue ear becomes less common as the child grows older.

, impairing a child’s hearing. Your doctor can use a syringe to gently fill the ear canal with warm water and float out the wax plug. Need treatment today? Need treatment today, but it’s not life-threatening and you can’t get a GP appointment, there are services available: – provide care for conditions that require treatment today but not an emergency response (extended hours) Tel.

About ear problems Babies and young children are prone to middle ear infections (called otitis media). Pus or fluid builds up in the ear canal behind the ear drum, which causes pain While most ear infections improve without any treatment, doctors Symptoms of middle ear infections earache headache fever discharge from the ear mild deafness difficulties in sleeping Hearing loss.

However, constant middle ear infections might delay a young child’s speech development Common after a cold Middle ear infections are caused by either bacteria or viruses and can be triggered by a cold Some precautions limiting day care – exposure to other children increases a baby’s odds of catching a cold breastfeeding – offers better immunity than bottle feeding not smoking – passive smoking Treatment for ear infections Glue ear Wax problems Sometimes, the ear can fill up with wax Where to get help Your GP (doctor) Your pharmacist Ear, nose and throat specialist Your maternal and child health service Urgent Care Clinics Nurse-on-Call (616) 555-0024 – for expert health information and advice (24 hours, 7 days) Emergency care In an emergency, always call 911 Emergency department of your nearest hospital More information The Royal Michigann Eye and Ear Hospital .

Key Points

  • Some of the symptoms of middle ear infection include: loss of appetite
  • , simply because they can’t hear very well
  • You can reduce the risk by:
  • Glue ear becomes less common as the child grows older