COMPLICATIONS
- 5 to 10% of children may rupture the eardrum with an acute ear infection. A bloody discharge may be noted. Usually heal within a couple weeks.
- Some children may have serous otitis; fluid in the middle ear that is not infected and usually cause no pain. This may accompany a cold or occur after an acute infection has been treated with antibiotics. Depending on the situations, it may not require antibiotics.
- Serious complications of a middle ear infection can include meningitis (an infection of the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord) and mastoiditis (an infection of the mastoid bone that is around the middle ear).
- Signs of a mastoiditis include an ear that protrudes out more from the head and tenderness and redness on the bone behind the ear.
- Another concern about ear infections involves hearing loss and language development. Fluid that stays in the middle air space for a long period of time may eventually cause hearing loss and may affect language development and behavior.
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Risk of ear infection increase with :
- Daycare
- Smoking environment
- Taking a botttle with the baby lying flat
- Family history of ear infections or allergies
- Allergies in the child with chronic congestion (more than 3 weeks)
- Flying (especially with a cold)
- Swimming underwater and diving into the water
- Enlarged adenoids
Discuss above with the doctor for preventative measures. A trial off dairy products may be helpful if allergies are suspected. |
