Ear infectionsEar infections are more common in children than adults.
However adults too might have to face ear infections some time or the other. The reason why children contact all infections more than adults is that their immune systems have not yet developed adequately.
Ear infection can be to any part of the ear, outer ear, middle ear or the inner ear.
Infection to the middle ear is known as otitis media, this infection is caused by virus or bacteria. Otitis media is inflammation of the middle ear, due to health problems like sore throat, colds, respiratory problems, etc.
Bacteria travels through the Eustachian tube into the middle ear causing infection, sometimes, the situation might be aggravated when white blood cells fight the infection and die in this process, causing them to dry and form pus on the lining of the middle ear.
Swelling might cause hearing problems to the child, these are temporary in nature. However, situation might be aggravated because of accumulation of fluid inside the ear.
If not paid attention to for a long time, it can also cause severe pain and increased pressure inside the ear can cause the ear drum to tear.
You can identify ear infections among children when they are generally irritated, are constantly tugging at their ear - this might indicate ear ache, crying or rubbing their ears.
Infection to the inner ear is called labyrinthitis, this is caused due to a virus, generally illnesses like mumps, and influenza, etc. cause this infection.
The symptoms for this type of infection include feeling of dizziness, nausea, vomiting, etc. if these symptoms are long term it is better that you get your ear checked with the specialist doctor.
Ear infection caused due to illness can be cured by medication; some of these symptoms do not show early.
These might show only when there is pain or formation of fluid inside the ear. Otitis media has been found to infect those children who are brought up in groups; this is also found more in children whose parents are smokers. Therefore, the best way to avoid this infection is to avoid contact of the child with sick playmates. Also children who contact otitis media due to tobacco should be kept in tobacco free environment.
There is a possibility that inner ear viral infection will get better on its own, however, some medication might be required to control symptoms that for the infection itself. You can take medication for nausea, feeling of vomiting, etc.
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