Many parents have spent long nights caring for a child whose ear pain has kept her up until the wee hours of the morning. Or, they've rushed a sick child off to the doctor's office certain of the diagnosis to come: ear infection.
Ear infections are often associated with childhood illness and a common sickness that parents handle with their children. Basic information about the causes, symptoms, treatment and prevention of ear infections can help make the process go a bit smoother.
Causes
Although it may not feel like it at 2 a.m. in the morning, ear infections do happen for a reason. What are some of the causes behind ear infections? What happens to the ear during an infection? Here's a few resources:
- Video: What Happens During an Ear Infection?
- Ear Infection: Chronic
- What You Need To Know About Ear Infections
- Definition of Ear Infection
Symptoms
Experienced parents have dealt with the symptoms of ear infections, most likely on more than one occasion - and new parents are likely to come across those symptoms soon. Here's a review of the common symptoms:
- Symptom Checker: Middle Ear Infection
- Ear Infection Symptoms
- Ear Pulling vs. Ear Infections
- Ear Aches From Swimming
Treatment
So, your child has an ear infection and is most likely in pain, miserable, unhappy and irritable. What treatment options are available?
- How Are Ear Infections Treated?
- Ear Infection Treatment Guidelines
- Home Remedies for Ear Infections
- Ear Tubes
- When is a Child Too Sick For School?
Prevention
Although ear infections are a common childhood illness, there are some things you can do to try to prevent recurrences. Here are some ideas: