Longwood Pediatrics encourages our patient families to take an active part in their health through education and consultation. We provide the below information for your reference but it is not meant to replace a visit with your medical provider. Please contact us if you feel your child needs to be seen in the office.

Please always dial 911 in the case of a medical emergency.

Ear Infections

 
Ear infections are an unfortunate, but common, part of childhood. Most children will experience at least one ear infection during the first 2 years of life, and many will have multiple episodes. An ear infection develops when the eustachian tube (which drains the middle ear) becomes blocked and the middle ear space becomes filled with infected fluid and/or pus. This often occurs after a cold or other respiratory illness but sometimes comes “out of the blue”. Some important facts about ear infections:

Symptoms of an Ear Infection

The most common symptoms of an ear infection are ear pain (or fussiness/crying in a child too young to talk), fever, and drainage from the ear (if the eardrum ruptures or the child has surgical ear tubes).

Diagnosis of an Ear Infection

The only sure way to diagnose an ear infection correctly is for a trained person to examine the ear drum. The typical symptoms of ear infections can overlap with symptoms of other illnesses such as colds, “swimmer’s ear”, tooth pain, sore throats, etc. Because of this, we do not treat earaches over the phone without examining the child.

Treatment of an Ear Infection

Almost all ear infections will get better on their own, but we usually treat with antibiotics which helps the infection clear up a little faster. Antibiotics will not help the acute pain associated with ear infections—the best immediate treatments for ear pain are acetaminophen or ibuprofen, lying on the side with the affected ear up, and a warm compress over the ear.

Prevention of an Ear Infection

Breastfeeding can help protect against ear infections in the first year of life and is encouraged. Some factors that may make ear infections more likely are exposure to tobacco smoke and giving a bottle while lying down, so these should be avoided.

When to Call the Office

Please call the office IMMEDIATELY for:

Swelling and redness on the outside of the ear or behind the ear

Please call during REGULAR HOURS for:

Signs of possible ear infection (earache, fussiness, ear drainage)