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Common Childhood Ailments and Infections- Ways to Deal with themEar InfectionsWhat is an Ear Infection?
Ear infections are common in babies, and young children. When we talk about ear infections, we are generally referring to infections of the middle ear.
How and Why Do Ear Infections Occur?
The middle ear is connected to the throat through a tube called the Eustachian tube.
This tube is very narrow in babies and young children, and as a result, can become infected if it becomes blocked with mucous at any time. Normally, there is air and fluid, but this fluid can become infected if the child has a cold, and it also can pass the infection into the middle ear this way. In general terms, the early symptoms of this condition are those of a cold, with runny nose, coughing, and general irritability. In some cases, this can reach the point where the pressure in the ear builds upo significantly, causing ear drum to actually burst. Whilst this pressure can cause great pain, if the ear drum does burst, it will normally heal of its own accord, and the fluid will drain away over a few weeks from the infection. I realise this may sound a little gruesome, but most kids do deal quite well with these common ailments, and they do pass. Most kids will grow out of having ear infections after two years of age, as the Eustachian tubes start to become a little wider.
What Circumstances Create Ear Infections?
The incidence of ear infections can increase when your child attends day care, as they are in contact with more children. Further, bottle fed babies are more susceptible, as breast fed babies obtain a greater immunity through the antibodies in the breast milk. Further, people who smoke in close proximity to children may cause increased ear infections in the children around them.
More information is available from the Victorian Government Health Service!
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