Ear Infections
What
are the symptoms of an ear infection?
Your child may have many
symptoms during an ear infection. Talk with your pediatrician about the best
way to treat your child's symptoms.
-
Pain.
The most common symptom of an ear infection is pain. Older children can
tell you that their ears hurt. Younger children may only seem irritable
and cry. You may notice this more during feedings because sucking and swallowing
may cause painful pressure changes in the middle ear.
-
Loss
of appetite. Your child may have less of an appetite because of the
ear pain.
-
Trouble
sleeping. Your child may have trouble sleeping because of the ear pain.
-
Fever.
Your child may have a temperature ranging from 100°F (normal) to 104°F.
-
Ear
drainage. You might notice yellow or white fluid, possibly blood-tinged,
draining from your child's ear. The fluid may have a foul odor and will
look different from normal earwax (which is orange-yellow or reddish-brown).
Pain and pressure often decrease after this drainage begins, but this doesn't
always mean that the infection is going away. If this happens it's not an
emergency, but your child will need to see your pediatrician.
-
Trouble
hearing. During and after an ear infection, your child may have trouble
hearing for several weeks. This occurs because the fluid behind the eardrum
gets in the way of sound transmission. This is usually temporary and clears
up after the fluid from the middle ear drains away.
Other causes of ear
pain
There are other reasons
besides an ear infection why your child's ears may hurt. The following can
cause ear pain:
-
An infection
of the skin of the ear canal, often called "swimmer's ear"
-
Blocked
or plugged eustachian tubes from colds or allergies
-
A sore
throat
-
Teething
or sore gums
Published online: 2/07
Source: Acute Ear Infections and Your Child (Copyright © 2004 American
Academy of Pediatrics)
Healthcare professionals
may order
this publication in multi-copy packs.
Parents can find more information on this topic in Caring for Your Baby and
Young Child: Birth to Age 5. To order a copy of this book visit the AAP
Bookstore.
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The information contained
in this publication should not be used as a substitute for the medical care
and advice of your pediatrician. There may be variations in treatment that your
pediatrician may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances.
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