Acute otitis media is the medical term for the common ear infection. Otitis refers to an ear infection and media means middle. So, acute otitis media is an infection of the middle ear, which is located behind the eardrum.
When should a parent suspect a infection? When a child becomes ill with fever, is irritable, and usually complains of pain in the ear. Many children who develop ear infections will first have colds. However, ear pain can be caused by other problems, such as a sore throat, without an ear infection.
Ear infections are very common in children. But there are things parents can do to reduce the number of ear infections their children may have.
Ear infections are not contagious or spread from one person to another, but the colds that result in ear infections are. Colds are spread when germs are released from the nose or mouth during coughing or sneezing.
Anything that can reduce the spread of germs will help reduce ear infections.
Treatment Plans?
Until recently, all children with ear infections were given antibiotics. Many children with ear infections will get better without antibiotics. This option reduces the use of unnecessary antibiotics, and limits the child’s exposure to the side effects of antibiotics. It also reduces the chance that bacteria that cannot be killed by antibiotics will develop.
Prevention Tips : Breastfeeding appears to lower an infant’s risk of ear infections.
Children under age two should not lie flat when they bottle-feed.
No one should be allowed to smoke around children. Secondhand smoke increases a child’s risk for ear infections
Teach children to always wash their hands after sneezing or coughing into them.
Long Term Effects of Ear Infections
The fluid behind the eardrum can block sound, so mild temporary hearing loss can happen, but might not be obvious.
Ear infections are also frequently associated with upper respiratory tract infections and,