Ear infection
What will happen to my child?
Most children get better in a few days.
About 4 in 5 children who have an ear infection get better without any treatment after about two or three days, and they have
no lasting problems.
1
Source:
Rosenfeld RM.
Natural history of untreated otitis media.
Laryngoscope. 2003; 113: 1645-1657.
Rosenfeld RM.
Natural history of untreated otitis media.
Laryngoscope. 2003; 113: 1645-1657.
Some children get ear
infections again and again, especially those who get their first ear infection when they're younger than 18 months.
2 We're not sure why this happens. Here are two theories.
infection
You get an infection when viruses, bacteria, fungi or other tiny organisms get into your body. These bugs are so tiny that you can't see them without a microscope. For example, an infection in your airways causes the common cold. And an infection in your skin can cause rashes such as athlete's foot.
You get an infection when viruses, bacteria, fungi or other tiny organisms get into your body. These bugs are so tiny that you can't see them without a microscope. For example, an infection in your airways causes the common cold. And an infection in your skin can cause rashes such as athlete's foot.
Source:
Bluestone CD, Klein JO.
Otitis media in infants and children.
2nd edition. WB Saunders, Philadelphia, U.S.A.; 1995.
Bluestone CD, Klein JO.
Otitis media in infants and children.
2nd edition. WB Saunders, Philadelphia, U.S.A.; 1995.
- These children may have a problem with the tubes leading from their middle ear to the back of their nose (the eustachian tubes).
- Or they may have a problem with their
immune system
The immune system is made up of the parts of the body that are devoted to fighting infection. The body is constantly being threatened by infections from things like bacteria, viruses and parasites. The immune system fights these infections in different ways. At the microscopic level, the immune system uses antibodies and white blood cells, which travel in the blood and target infectious agents, such as bacteria. These microscopic parts of the immune system either kill the infectious agent directly, or take it to other parts of the body, like the spleen, where it can be dealt with. The lymph nodes are another important part of the immune system. Within them, white blood cells filter through the foreign material that has entered the blood, to see if there are any infections. When you have a swollen gland during a cold, this is actually a lymph node that is reacting to the infection. Unfortunately, it is possible for the immune system to become confused and to use its destructive powers to target healthy parts of the body. Diseases that result from this type of situation are called autoimmune diseases.immune system (the body's system for fighting infection).Source:
Bluestone CD, Klein JO.
Otitis media in infants and children.
2nd edition. WB Saunders, Philadelphia, U.S.A.; 1995.
2
Source:
Bluestone CD, Klein JO.
Otitis media in infants and children.
2nd edition. WB Saunders, Philadelphia, U.S.A.; 1995.
Bluestone CD, Klein JO.
Otitis media in infants and children.
2nd edition. WB Saunders, Philadelphia, U.S.A.; 1995.
As your child gets older, they are less likely to get ear infections. This is because your child's eustachian tubes get bigger and start to grow at an angle. This makes it harder for the tubes
to clog with fluid and get infected.
Also, as children get older, they naturally develop some resistance to germs that can cause ear infections.
Usually ear infections aren't serious, but they can cause other problems if they don't clear up properly. These problems are
more likely to happen if your child gets lots of ear infections.
After an ear infection, fluid can get trapped inside your child's ear.
2 This is called fluid in the ear. Your doctor might also call it otitis media with effusion. This fluid isn't infected with
bacteria or
viruses (unlike the fluid of an ear infection). That's why if your child has fluid in the ear, they won't have clear symptoms, such
as pain or
fever.
Source:
Bluestone CD, Klein JO.
Otitis media in infants and children.
2nd edition. WB Saunders, Philadelphia, U.S.A.; 1995.
Bluestone CD, Klein JO.
Otitis media in infants and children.
2nd edition. WB Saunders, Philadelphia, U.S.A.; 1995.
bacteria
Bacteria are tiny organisms. There are lots of different types. Some are harmful and can cause disease. But some bacteria live in your body without causing any harm.
Bacteria are tiny organisms. There are lots of different types. Some are harmful and can cause disease. But some bacteria live in your body without causing any harm.
viruses
Viruses are microbes (tiny organisms) that need the cells of humans or other animals to exist. They use the machinery of cells to reproduce. Then they spread to other cells in the body.
Viruses are microbes (tiny organisms) that need the cells of humans or other animals to exist. They use the machinery of cells to reproduce. Then they spread to other cells in the body.
fever
If you have a fever, your body temperature is above 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit (37 degrees Celsius). With a fever you often get other symptoms, such as shivering, headache or sweating. A fever is usually caused by an infection.
If you have a fever, your body temperature is above 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit (37 degrees Celsius). With a fever you often get other symptoms, such as shivering, headache or sweating. A fever is usually caused by an infection.
But fluid in the ear can stop your child from hearing properly, which can make learning difficult. For more on this condition
and how it's treated, see Ear infection with fluid.
An ear infection can spread to the large bone behind your child's ear (the mastoid bone). Doctors call this
mastoiditis. It can cause severe pain, swelling and tenderness behind your child's ear. But often there aren't any symptoms at all.
mastoiditis
The bony area that sticks out slightly behind your ear is called your mastoid process. Mastoiditis occurs when this bone becomes inflamed. You can get mastoiditis when the inside of your ear is infected.
The bony area that sticks out slightly behind your ear is called your mastoid process. Mastoiditis occurs when this bone becomes inflamed. You can get mastoiditis when the inside of your ear is infected.
Mastoiditis is very rare. But if your child's ear infection doesn't seem to get better, they could have this condition. So, you should see your doctor right away.
Rarely, skin cells from the eardrum can start to grow into a child's middle ear. This is most likely to happen if your child has had many ear
infections. It is called a cholesteatoma.
If a cholesteatoma isn't treated, the new skin can damage the tiny bones in the middle ear that carry sound waves. That can
cause hearing problems. The skin is usually taken out by surgery through the child's eardrum.
Sources for the information on this page:
- Rosenfeld RM.Natural history of untreated otitis media.Laryngoscope. 2003; 113: 1645-1657.
- Bluestone CD, Klein JO.Otitis media in infants and children.2nd edition. WB Saunders, Philadelphia, U.S.A.; 1995.
This information was last updated on May 12, 2009
This information is for educational use only, and is not a substitute for prompt professional medical advice. Readers should always consult a physician or other professional for advice and treatment.
© BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2009. All rights reserved.
© BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2009. All rights reserved.
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