Ear Infections Ear infections in children are common. Most kids get at least one ear infection by the time they are 3 years old. Most ear infections clear up without any lasting problems. Ear infections usually hurt. Older kids can tell you that their ears hurt. Little children may only cry and act fussy. You may notice this more when your child eats. That’s because sucking and swallowing can make the pain worse. Children with an ear infection may not want to eat. They may have trouble sleeping. Ear infections also can cause fever. What to Do for Ear Pain Give your child acetaminophen* or ibuprofen* for pain. They work well for pain with or without fever. • The pain may last up to 3 days. So it’s fine to give medicine at the right dose during the day and at night for 3 days. Follow the label to see how often you can give it. • There are also ear drops that can help with pain. Ask the doctor before you try them. You can wait 1 or 2 days to call the doctor if... -Your child is older than 2 years -Your child does not have a high fever (over 103°F or 39.4°C) AND -Your child does not act sick. What About Antibiotics? The doctor may prescribe medicine for your child. This medicine will probably will be an antibiotic . Antibiotics kill the germs that cause some infections. Some ear infections will get better on their own. It’s best for your child not to take an antibiotic unless it is needed. So the doctor may ask you to wait 1 or 2 days to see if your child gets better without medicine. So when is an antibiotic needed? The doctor may prescribe an antibiotic if your child: - is very sick - is younger than 2 years - Does not feel better 2 days after the ear pain began Make sure your child takes all the antibiotics. This may mean finishing the bottle. Or it may mean taking the medicine for a certain number of days. Follow what the doctor says. If you stop the medicine too soon, some germs may still be left. That can make the infection start all over again. What Not to Do • Don’t give your child aspirin. It’s dangerous for children younger than 18 years. • Don’t give your child over-the-counter cold medicines. They don’t help clear up ear infections. • Don’t let your child swim or travel by plane right after an ear infection. Check with the doctor first. What to Expect With any ear infection: • After 1 to 2 days, pain and fever should start getting better. • After 3 days, pain and fever should go away. Your child might feel a “popping” in the ears as the infection starts to clear up. This is a sign of healing. Children with ear infections don’t need to stay home if they feel OK. Just make sure your child keeps taking any medicine he or she needs. Call the Doctor If... • Your child has one ear infection after another for many months. It may be time to try a new treatment. • Yellowish-white or bloody fluid is coming out of your child’s ear. • Is very sick. • Your child is younger than 2 years. • Your child is in a lot of pain. • Your child is acting sick or can’t sleep. • Your child has trouble hearing. This could be from an ear infection. But it might be something else. It’s important to get help if your child has a hearing problem.
Posted on: Sat, 03 Aug 2013 13:57:05 +0000
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