One of the most common ear nose and throat problems in children and adolescents is ear infections. Ear nose and throat is also referred to as ENT, which many children have problems with as they grow. Ear infections are one of the most common ENT problems for children and young adults because of the way the inner ear is shaped during youth and because their immune systems are still developing. In fact, 83% of kids have at least one ear infection by the time they reach the age of three. Here are a few things every parent should know about ear infections.
Common Symptoms of an Ear Infection
There are a few different hallmark symptoms of an ear infection. Basically, when an ear infection happens, fluid builds up behind the eardrum, gets infected, and causes swelling and pain. Usually, the pain and the infection are accompanied by a fever, but not all ear infections do — some types of ear infections cause no symptoms at all.
Signs Your Child Has an Ear Infection
There are a few different things to look out for if you suspect your child has an ear infection. If your child does not speak yet, look for pulling and tugging on the ears or fussiness and crying. If your child does complain of an earache, this is, of course, another indicator that he or she may have an ear infection. Fever, fluid draining from the ears, balance issues, and mild hearing loss are also common warning signs that a child has an ear infection.
The Causes of Ear Infections
Though children are more prone to ear infections because of the way their inner ears are shaped and their immune systems are relatively weak, there aren’t actually what causes ear infections. A child who has congenital abnormalities of the ear could be more prone to ear infections. Usually, ear infections begin with respiratory infections or sinus infections, which spreads to the ears.
Does your child suffer from frequent ear infections or other common ENT problems? Feel free to share your thoughts and experiences with us in the comments section below.