Ear Infection

What is an ear infection?

An ear infection occurs when bacteria or viruses get inside the middle ear and fluid builds up. This causes inflammation and pain. They often begin after your child has a cold or virus. People of all ages can get ear infections, but they are most common in kids ages 8 and younger. In fact, aside from colds, ear infections are one of the most common reasons young children go to the doctor.

What are the signs and symptoms of ear infection?

Common symptoms of ear infection in kids include:

• Ear pain
• Tugging or pulling at the ears
• Fever
• Fussiness or crying
• Trouble sleeping or eating
• Trouble hearing

What causes an ear infection?

Ear infections are caused by bacteria or viruses. They often begin after your child has a cold or respiratory illness. Children are more prone to ear infections than adults because their immune systems are not fully developed. They also have smaller eustachian tubes, which connect the middle ears to the back of the throat. This makes fluid more likely to build up, which can lead to an ear infection.

Children may also be more prone to ear infections if they use a bottle while lying down or are exposed to secondhand smoke.

How is an ear infection treated?

In many cases your child may not need treatment for an ear infection. Some ear infections clear on their own and your doctor may suggest waiting a few days before starting treatment. Your care team at Arkansas Children's is experienced in treating ear infections in children and will work with you to come up with the best treatment plan for your child.

If your child does need treatment, options may include:

• Over-the-counter pain relievers to help treat pain and other symptoms.
• Antibiotics to treat severe ear infections that are caused by bacteria.
• Ear tube surgery for children who get many ear infections or who have ear infections that don’t get better with antibiotics. During this short procedure, an ear, nose, and throat specialist (ENT) will insert tiny tubes into the eardrum. The tubes help drain fluid from the middle ear. The tubes stay in the eardrum for about a year.