Ear infections are common in infants between the ages of 6 to 18 months, but they can happen at any age in young children. It can be difficult to know that your baby has an ear infection. If your baby has a cough or a cold or a runny nose and suddenly develops a fever after three to five days, he/she may have an ear infection.
A middle ear infection is a painful infection. This infection is developed when the fluid gets blocked inside the ear due to cold, allergy, or the flu. The fluid lets the bacteria grow and pus builds up and pressure on your baby's eardrum causes it to bulge and swell. The baby may then develop a fever as his/her body tries to fight off the infection. This type of ear infection is called acute otitis media.
Signs of a Middle Ear Infection
- The baby may cry over the night due to the pain
- The baby is rubbing or pulling the ear
- May be have trouble hearing
- Maybe baby doesn't want to drink milk or eat because it hurts
- Fever over 101 degrees
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
Your Child’s Care
Ear infections are sometimes cured on their own, but it is best to see your child’s doctor or Pediatric ENT in Gurugram if signs last more than two days. Your doctor or ENT Specialist in Gurugram, will look at your child’s ears and ask about his or her signs. They may prescribe antibiotic medicine. Give all of the medicine according to its course, even if your child feels well. Your doctor may also suggest pain medicine to help with fever and pain.
Tips to prevent an ear infection
- Hold your baby upright when feeding.
- Keep your children away from smokers.
- Ask your children to wash their hands often.
- Ask them not to touch their eyes or runny nose.
- Don’t use earbuds or any other pin-shaped things to clean your ear.
- Wipe the ear after bath.
Dr. Manish Prakash, ENT Specialist says your child may also have a more serious ear infection, in which his eardrum may rupture and fluid may fill the ear canal. Sometimes it can also lead to problems like hearing loss. Talk to your doctor at the Best ENT Hospital in Gurugram Haryana, if you have any questions or concerns.
