Ear infections are one of the most common illnesses to affect young children. In fact, an estimated five out of every six children will have an ear infection before their third birthday.
Unfortunately, because children are often too young to describe their symptoms when they get ear infections, it can be difficult to figure out what exactly is wrong with them. At Pediatric Partners of Augusta, “We Speak Kid,” so we’ve compiled a list of ways to tell if your baby has an ear infection.
As with any illness, we highly recommend a visit to your children’s doctor or pediatrician if you suspect your child has an ear infection. There are no home remedies for an ear infection, and your child will need antibiotics to feel better.
What is an ear infection?
An ear infection is caused when bacteria move to the inner ear following a cold or upper respiratory infection, causing fluid to build up behind the eardrum. Parts of the middle ear often become infected and inflamed. This causes pain in the ear and may trigger a fever as well.
How to spot an ear infection
If your little one is too young to describe his/her symptoms to you or even to say, “My ear hurts,” don’t panic – there are still several ways to spot an ear infection.
Pulling
One of the easiest-to-spot signs of an ear infection is your child tugging at or pulling on his/her ear. Your child may also be unusually fussy or cry more frequently. These are both common ways that young children react to and communicate that they are experiencing some type of pain.
Fever
Your child might also develop a fever, especially if he/she is an infant. Children with ear infections often have trouble sleeping. Lying down triggers a change of pressure in the ear, which can worsen the pain of the earache.
Fluid
You may spot fluid draining from the ear, and your child may have trouble hearing softer sounds. Because the inner ear assists with balance, your child might also be clumsier than usual or experience difficulty balancing.
Ear infections and fevers can be scary for new parents but getting the right care for your baby doesn’t have to be. If you suspect your child has an ear infection, don’t hesitate to contact Pediatric Partners.
We now have three locations to better serve our patients. The Evans office is located at 411 Town Park Blvd., the downtown Augusta office is located at 1303 D’Antignac Street, Suite 2600, and the new Grovetown office is located at 5135 Wrightsboro Road. For more information about Pediatric Partners, please feel free to call the office at 706-854-2500, visit pedpartners.com, or follow the Pediatric Partners of Augusta Facebook page.
