"Otitis media" is the medical term for an infection of the middle ear, the space behind the eardrum. When this space is healthy, it is filled with air and is connected to the nasopharynx (the back of the nose / upper part of the throat) through the Eustachian tubes. It is possible that an infection could develop in this area causing fluid to build up and causing pain. You must be able to recognize your symptoms, those of the baby and understand when to see a doctor.
Steps
Part 1 of 5: Recognizing the Symptoms in Adults and Adolescents
Step 1. Pay attention to the pain inside the ear
If you have ear pain, it can be a sign of infection. It can be a constant, dull pain accompanied by palpitations or stabbing, cutting, at intervals, which occurs alone or in combination with a dull pain.
- The pain is due to the presence of infected fluid in the ear applying pressure to the eardrum.
- This pain can also spread; you may experience head or neck pain, for example.
Step 2. Watch for any temporary mild hearing loss
This may be another symptom of the infection; when fluid accumulates behind the eardrum, it can lead to a reduction in the signals that go to the brain as they pass through the thin bones of the middle ear; it is therefore possible to have a small hearing loss.
Some people also feel an intermittent buzz or buzzing inside the ear
Step 3. Check for fluid leakage
When the ear is infected, you may notice fluid draining from the ear. Watch out for pus or other secretions from your sore ear as well. this fluid can be brown, yellow or white and its presence can indicate rupture of the eardrum; in this case, it is necessary to consult a doctor.
Step 4. Notice other complementary symptoms
Sometimes, other disorders accompanying the infection, such as a rhinorrhea or sore throat, occur with otitis media; if you also have these ailments, in addition to earache, go to the doctor to see if you have an infection.
Part 2 of 5: Controlling Symptoms in Babies and Infants
Step 1. Look for signs of ear pain
Children tend to experience acute pain with otitis media. A young child is unable to express such pain; however, you can check if he cries unusually, especially when lying down, or if he tugs and pulls his ears.
He may also be more irritable than usual or have difficulty sleeping
Step 2. Pay attention to lack of appetite
This symptom is more common in infants who are breast or bottle fed. When they ingest milk, ear pain increases due to the change in pressure; therefore, they no longer feel like eating a lot, precisely because of the suffering.
Step 3. Check if you have difficulty hearing
Just like in adults, otitis media also causes temporary hearing loss in children. Be careful if your child doesn't seem to feel as usual and is unable to answer your questions.
If he's a newborn, see if he responds to soft sounds as he normally does
Step 4. Check for fever
It is a fairly common symptom in children with otitis media. Measure your child's fever if you suspect he has otitis media; in this case, the body temperature could be relatively high, from 37.7 to 40 ° C.
Step 5. See if the child has problems with balance
This is another symptom of middle ear infection; since the balance is regulated on this side, in case of infection it can actually be compromised. Pay attention if the baby suddenly experiences difficulty walking or standing upright.
Instability is a symptom that occurs more easily in children than in adults, but you should take note if you too have balance problems, as well as other symptoms
Step 6. Pay attention to nausea and vomiting
Otitis media can also cause these discomforts in children, due to dizziness (loss of balance) due to the infection, which can lead to vomiting. Therefore, look for these disorders as well, as well as others such as ear pain and moderate hearing loss.
Step 7. Know that the symptoms may not be dramatic
Sometimes, the infection doesn't have many complaints; in fact, you or the child may experience hearing loss as the only major discomfort. A warning sign could be if the child is not paying attention in school, for example, because he is not hearing well.
Other children may experience a sense of "fullness" in the ear or that the ear "pops out" more often
Step 8. Check for fluid leakage
Again, the presence of secretions usually indicates that the eardrum has ruptured; in other words, the infection has gotten worse and you should take your child to the pediatrician, if you notice any yellow, brown, or white fluid coming out of the ear.
Part 3 of 5: Knowing When to See Your Doctor
Step 1. Call your GP based on how long your symptoms last
Pay attention to the duration of the complaints you experience; you should take note if the symptoms arise after another infection that you or your child has had, such as a cold, because in this case they are more likely to suffer from otitis media, especially in children.
- For infants younger than 6 months, you need to see your pediatrician as soon as symptoms arise.
- For children and adults who suffer from ailments for more than 24 hours, it is advisable to call their doctor for advice.
Step 2. Go to the doctor if the temperature rises
If you or the child have a fever, you need to see a doctor. Fever indicates an infection and you may need antibiotics to fight it.
If your child has a fever over 38 ° C, you need to see your pediatrician
Step 3. Talk to your doctor if ear pain is severe
In this case, it is advisable to seek treatment, because it means that the infection is getting worse or spreading; You should therefore call the doctor if you or your child are in particularly severe pain.
Pay attention if the baby is suffering more than normal from ear infection. For example, if she doesn't stop crying, that might be reason enough to contact your pediatrician
Step 4. Go to the doctor's office if you see fluid coming out of your ear
In both adults and children it is a sufficient signal to justify a medical examination, since it is a symptom of a tear in the eardrum; The doctor will then have to examine the ear to see if any treatments are needed, such as antibiotics.
If you experience leaking fluid, you should not go swimming until the infection is gone
Step 5. Prepare yourself for the different tests your doctor may undergo
He may examine your or your child's ear with an otoscope, a tool that allows you to visually inspect the eardrum. During the visit, the doctor may also blow a stream of air on the eardrum, to see if it moves as it should.
- Another useful tool for the doctor is the tympanometer, which checks for fluid behind the eardrum through pressure and air.
- When the infection is persistent, you should also have your hearing checked to see if there has been a loss.
Step 6. Be aware that your doctor may not even intervene
Many ear infections go away on their own and many doctors try to prescribe fewer antibiotics, due to the ability of bacteria to adapt; in addition, some ear infections are caused by viruses. Either way, antibiotics aren't always necessary, as ear infections generally go away within a few days.
- Incidentally, otitis media is not contagious, although the viruses that accompany the infection sometimes are.
- Once the infection is gone, the fluid can stay in the middle ear for up to a couple of months.
- However, you can manage the pain by taking pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. if you have to give the drug to children, make sure it is in pediatric formulation.
Step 7. Go to the hospital if you or your child have facial paralysis
This is a rare complication of otitis media, due to swelling from the infection pressing on the facial nerve. Although this is a disorder that generally resolves itself with the disappearance of the infection, it is extremely important to undergo a medical examination to check for any form of facial paralysis.
Step 8. Go to the hospital if you or your child develop pain behind the ear
A complication of the disease is the spread of the infection to other parts of the body. Pain in the back of the ear can mean that the infection has spread to the underlying bone, the mastoid, causing an infection called mastoiditis, which causes hearing loss, pain, and discharge of secretions.
Such an infection is usually treated in the hospital
Step 9. Go to the emergency room if you or the child have any signs of meningitis
Although rarely, otitis media can progress to this disease, which causes a high fever, shortness of breath and a severe headache; you may also suffer from neck stiffness or nausea, as well as complain of sensitivity to light and a red blotchy rash. If you have these symptoms, you should go to the emergency room right away or call 911.
Step 10. Consider surgery with a trans-tympanic ventilation tube
If your child has persistent ear infections, you may want to consider this procedure. It is usually done when the child has hearing loss or speech development delay due to hearing loss. Basically, the surgery consists of inserting a tube into the ear, so that the fluid can drain more easily.
Part 4 of 5: Knowing the Risk Factors
Step 1. Age is a risk factor
Since children are not yet fully developed, their ear canals are smaller and have a more pronounced horizontal angle than that of adults. Due to this shape and structure, there is a greater chance that an obstruction of some kind will form in the ear, which can become infected. Babies from six months to two years of age are more likely to suffer from ear infections.
Step 2. A cold can lead to otitis media
The virus responsible for the cold can travel through the Eustachian tubes that connect the ear to the back of the nose. In this case, both you and your child could develop an ear infection during a cold.
- Kindergartens and preschools are the places where you are most likely to get an infection; when a child lives in close contact with other children who may have a cold, it is very likely that he will become ill as well.
- Make sure you get proper vaccinations, such as the flu shot once a year, to protect yourself from infections that can lead to otitis media.
Step 3. Keep in mind that the season plays an important role
Usually, children get sick more often in autumn and winter, because flu and colds (which, as is known, also lead to ear diseases) are more common during this period.
For the same reason, if you or your child have allergies, you are more likely to develop an ear infection when the allergens are more concentrated
Step 4. Pay attention if you or the baby snore or breathe through the mouth
These behaviors may indicate that you have enlarged adenoids, a disorder that can increase the risk of otitis media. See your doctor if you notice these symptoms, as surgery may be needed.
Part 5 of 5: Preventing Ear Infections
Step 1. Breastfeed the baby for one year
When babies drink breast milk, they are less likely to develop ear infections. Try to breastfeed her for at least the first six months, although it is best for a full year if you can handle it - breast milk provides the baby with the antibodies it needs to fight infections.
Step 2. Seated breastfeed
If you drink from the bottle while lying down, there is a greater risk of developing otitis media, because in the supine position, liquids can flow into the ears and cause an infection; make sure it is reclined at 45 ° when you bottle feed it.
Step 3. Fight allergies
People with allergies are more likely to suffer from otitis media, regardless of whether they are adults or children. If you have the ability to keep allergies under control, you can reduce the chances of developing this infection.
- You can take antihistamines to reduce discomfort, as well as try not to spend too much time outdoors during the peak allergen period.
- If your problem is particularly severe, see your doctor for other treatments.
Step 4. Avoid cigarette smoke
Both you and your child should not be exposed to smoking for many health reasons, one of which is the increased likelihood of developing an ear infection; you must avoid all cigarette smoking, including passive smoking.
