Ear Infections

What causes ear infections?

Ear infections are generally caused by bacterial or viral infections of the middle ear. The infection causes inflammation and a buildup of fluids that can result in considerable pain and discomfort.

They’re especially common in children and during periods of the cold, flu, or allergies. As mucus is blocked from draining, bacteria begin to build up, spreading to the middle ear. Frequent or prolonged ear infections can result in hearing problems.

What are the symptoms of an ear infection?

The symptoms of an ear infection begin rather rapidly. Because ear infections are so common in younger children, the symptoms can look a bit different than those experienced by adults. Some of the symptoms of ear infections in children to look out for include:

• Difficulty sleeping
• Increased irritability
• High fever
• Excessive crying
• Pulling on the ear
• Loss of appetite
• Loss of balance
• Ear pain

Some symptoms to look out for in adults include:

• Ear pain
• Impaired hearing
• Fluid discharge from ears

The symptoms of an ear infection are also common amongst several other conditions. To receive proper diagnosis and treatment, it's important to discuss your condition with the team at KC Cares Med.

How are ear infections diagnosed?

After discussing your symptoms, the team at KC Cares Med can confirm your condition with a quick look at your ear, nose, and throat passages using an otoscope to check for the presence of fluid. The most common diagnosis of an ear infection is acute otitis media, which means there is both fluid and bacteria present in your middle ear.

How are ear infections treated?

There are several ways to approach the treatment of ear infections. Because ear infections often clear up on their own (especially in children), the first step in treatment is often close monitoring of the condition.

Generally, if you aren’t running a high fever, it’s likely the infection will clear up on its own. Pain medication is also commonly recommended to help patients cope with the symptoms of the infection.

Not all ear infections clear up on their own, however, and for these cases, antibiotics are the best option for treatment. Children under the age of six months are often prescribed antibiotics as opposed to allowing the infection to clear up on its own. Children running a high fever are also prescribed antibiotics as immediate treatment.

To learn more about treatment options for ear infections, call KC Cares Med or request an appointment online today.