COMMON INFECTIONS OF CHILDHOOD: EAR INFECTIONS TREATMENT
Treatment
Because it is impossible to determine clinically whether the infection is due to bacteria or a virus, all ear infections are treated with a course of antibiotics. This may be a 5-day course, though sometimes the doctor will prescribe medications for 10 days to ensure that the infection has cleared up. Various antibiotics can be effective, depending on the age of the child. Most children improve after a few days, but you should always make sure that the child finishes the whole course of treatment.
Apart from antibiotics, other medications are often prescribed. Decongestants are somewhat controversial, for despite their common use in ear infections, they have not been demonstrated to be of benefit. Paracetamol in appropriate doses is usually beneficial for the fever as well as the pain, and nasal drops or spray may help relieve congestion and make the child more comfortable, as may blowing the nose.
In some children who have recurrent ear infections or a chronic infection (known as ‘glue ear’), ventilating tubes (grommets) are inserted into the eardrum to keep fluid from building up behind the drum, thus making sure that hearing is preserved. This is a very common procedure in childhood, and usually the child can be a ‘day patient’ — he does not have to stay overnight in hospital but has the procedure are in the ears, it is advisable not to go swimming unless special ear plugs are used to prevent water entering the middle ear. The ENT specialist will explain these precautions to you. Grommets usually fall out after 6 to 12 months, although sometimes special tubes are inserted which will stay in longer. In some children, grommets are reinserted several times.
The doctor should see the child at the first sign that the child may have an ear infection. Often he or she will want to review the child after the completion of treatment, to make sure that the infection has cleared up and that there is no evidence of glue ear. The doctor should also be seen immediately if there is any discharge from the ear, as this may indicate a perforated eardrum.
Prevention
There is no way we can prevent ear infections. If your child has recurrent ear infections, or you suspect that his hearing may be reduced, then it is very important that the child be closely monitored to ensure that he does not have a significant and persistent hearing loss.
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