Ear Infections

It is a painful fact of childhood that most children will experience at least one bout with an ear infection. Some children have several ear infections in one year. With all of the controversy about [antibiotic resistance] , how can you know when and how to treat your baby's ear infections?

An ear infection typically affects your child's middle ear. These infections can be quite painful and often develop a few days after the onset of a cold. Basically, fluid builds up in a small pocket behind the eardrum. This fluid buildup is caused by germs and bacteria which get into the ear. The eustachian tubes, which form a passage from your ear to your throat, are very small in young children, and they have a more difficult time blocking bacteria. As children grow, so do their eustachian tubes, and they generally have less ear infections, although this may not always be the case. You shouldn't confuse a middle ear infection with swimmer's ear, which is an infection of the outer ear.

Medical studies continue to reveal that people can build-up a resistance to antibiotics if they are used frequently. This has prompted more and more pediatricians to hesitate when prescribing medicines to treat an ear infection. That causes a dilemma, however. If you are like me and many other parents, when you take your child to the doctor because of an illness, you want something to be done. You want your child healed, and you expect to be handed a prescription. That may not always be in your child's best interest, however. Bacteria can become so resistant to antibiotics that they are virtually useless. In fact, your pediatrician may have to resort to using stronger and stronger medications on your child in order to find something that will work. How do you know when to call the doctor?

1. If your child appears to be in pain, call your doctor.
2. If your child is running a fever over 101 degrees and appears to be in pain, call the doctor.
3. If your child pulls or tugs at her ear and appears to be in pain for more than forty-eight hours.
4. If you notice any pus or blood in your child's ear, call your doctor.
5. If your baby become fussier than normal and is running a temperature, call the doctor.
6. If you notice some of the above symptoms along with a loss of appetite, call the doctor.

Obviously, these suggestions make sense, but what if you just suspect that your child has an ear infection, but she doesn't appear to be in much pain? To ease your mind, go ahead and schedule an appointment. Don't be surprised, however, if your doctor suggests a wait and see approach before prescribing antibiotics, especially if your child is over the age of two.

If your baby continues to have ear infections that won't clear up on their own or become resistant to antibiotics, your pediatrician may suggest a visit to an ear, nose, and throat specialist.

Although you probably can't keep your baby from never having another ear infections there are some precautions that you can take to lessen her risks.

1. The [Hib vaccine] can help reduce the occurrences of ear infections, as well as the [pneumococcal vaccine] .
2. Breastfeed your baby, if possible, for a minimum of six months to ensure he receives as many of your immunities as he can.
3. Keep your baby away from sick people as much as possible. Of course, you can't enclose him in a sterile bubble, nor would you want to. Still, using common sense can ward of some risk of infection.
4. Keep your baby away from tobacco smoke, which can suppress the immune system.

Finally, when you've done all that you can do, and your little one still gets a painful ear infection, don't feel guilty. Take her to the doctor, listen to the diagnosis, and give lots of extra hugs and kisses.

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