Dealing With Ear Infections

How can I tell if my little one has an ear infection?

	If your toddler is crabby, fussy, tugs on or rubs his/her ears and has a fever, your child may have an ear infection.
	If your baby cries a lot, is not drinking or playing and has a high fever, have your health care provider check for ear trouble.

What are the symptoms of an ear infection, versus a cold?

The common cold causes stuffiness and runny nose, and often fever. Sometimes children with colds also often fever. Sometimes children with colds also have vomiting or diarrhea. If after a few days your child's fever continues, and your little one starts pulling on his/her ear or complains of an earache, your child may have an ear infection.

Why do I need a doctor?

It's important to get medical help:

	To make sure it's not other kinds of infection.
	So that the infection doesn't get any worse.
	Because failure to get rid of the infection completely can lead to more serious completely can lead to more serious problems, including permanent hearing loss.

Why do we keep getting ear infections?

The ear is connected to the throat by a narrow tube. In babies and small children, the tub is shorter and straighter than a fully developed adult ear. Therefore, fluid that gets inside the ear doesn't drain as well, and has a greater chance of becoming infected. The tubes can become inflamed during a cold or sore throat.

Can we cut down on ear infections?

These things help:

	Breastfeeding can protect your baby from infections.
	Don't smoke around the baby. "Second-hand smoke" causes colds, wheezing and ear problems.
	Keep up with all your baby's shots.
	Never prop the baby's bottle. Keep the baby's head fairly upright during bottle feeding.
	Make sure your little one is getting good nutrition.. A healthy child will probably have less ear problems.
	If your toddler is in day care, ask your daycare provider to be sure to wash your child's hands often. This helps stop the spread of infections, especially colds. Colds often lead to ear infections.

Do........

	If your health care provider prescribes antibiotics for your child, us all of it. Even if the pain has stopped, the infection can still be there.
	Do put a warm (not hot) cloth over the ear for some comfort. Use warm cloths from your dryer.
	Give your baby Tylenol® to help with pain or fever. First check the bottle for the exact dose.
	Keep your baby's head upright at bedtime, because it helps the ear drain and reduces pain.

Don't.........

	Don't try to remove any foreign objects from the ear yourself. You might cause permanent damage.
	Don't use home remedies. They could make the problem worse.
	Don't use cotton swabs. They jam ear wax in further. Earwax helps keep the outer ear canal clean.

Call your health care provider if there's no improvement in 2-3 days.

* This information is not a substitute for professional medical care. Diagnosis and treatment should be done only by your health care provider. For more information contact your local health department or physician.

Shiawassee County Health Department

110 E. Mack St.

Corunna, Michigan 48817

(989) 743-2355

1-800-859-4229

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