Ear Infections in Children < EAR INFECTIONS < Main Page

Ear Infections in Children

Author: Dr. Elzie F. Hart

Otitis media is the most frequent diagnosis for children resulting in 30 million doctor visits a year. Otitis media means an inflammation of the middle ear. The inflammation occurs as a result of a middle ear infection and can occur in both ears.It is serious because it can and does create a hearing loss. This hearing loss may impair the child?s learning capacity and even delay his speech development. It can also cause severe earaches, and the infection can spread to nearby structures in the head, especially the mastoid. However, otitis media is not serious if it is treated promptly and effectively. The hearing can almost always be restored to normal.Acute otitis media is caused by bacteria or viruses that enter the eustachian tube from the nose or throat and reach the middle ear. The eustachian tube is a narrow tube that passes from the back of the nose up into the ear. When the eustachian tube is inflamed from a cold, sinus, or throat infection, or an allergy attack, it is not functioning properly and may allow the infection to enter the middle ear. Infection in the middle ear causes earache, a red, inflamed eardrum, and a build up of pus and mucus behind the eardrum.Sometimes the eardrum ruptures and pus drains out of the ear. But, more commonly, the pus and mucus remain in the middle ear because a swollen, inflamed eustachian tube cannot open up to allow drainage. This is called middle ear fluid or serous otitis media or effusion. It often becomes chronic after the acute, painful part of the infection is over.

Last Modified: 2004-10-27          Number of views: 1997

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