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Ear Infections: Early Detection & Treatment
August 23, 1999
Signs & Symptoms
Ear infections, often caused by bacteria, are usually accompanied by a build-up of fluid within the middle ear. This inflammation of the middle ear causes discomfort for your baby, usually resulting in crying, interrupted sleep, the loss of appetite, tugging of the ear, and fever. If remain undetected, the fluid build-up can potentially cause temporary hearing loss and sometimes even speech delays. Thus, prevention and early detection are very important in maintaining the good health of your baby.
Although ear infections are not directly contagious, common colds and other respiratory infections that precede them are. If your baby exhibits some of the symptoms described above, immediately following the recovery from a cold, visit your family doctor for a checkup.
Treatment
Depending on your baby's condition, your physician may or may not prescribe antibiotics to treat your baby's ear infection. If your family physician decides to prescribe antibiotics for your baby, be sure to always complete the prescription. It is common that your baby begins to feel better soon after taking antibiotics. However, it is important for your baby to finish the prescribed antibiotics, as directed by your physician, to ensure that the infection is completely treated.
Signs & Symptoms
Ear infections, often caused by bacteria, are usually accompanied by a build-up of fluid within the middle ear. This inflammation of the middle ear causes discomfort for your baby, usually resulting in crying, interrupted sleep, the loss of appetite, tugging of the ear, and fever. If remain undetected, the fluid build-up can potentially cause temporary hearing loss and sometimes even speech delays. Thus, prevention and early detection are very important in maintaining the good health of your baby.
Although ear infections are not directly contagious, common colds and other respiratory infections that precede them are. If your baby exhibits some of the symptoms described above, immediately following the recovery from a cold, visit your family doctor for a checkup.
Treatment
Depending on your baby's condition, your physician may or may not prescribe antibiotics to treat your baby's ear infection. If your family physician decides to prescribe antibiotics for your baby, be sure to always complete the prescription. It is common that your baby begins to feel better soon after taking antibiotics. However, it is important for your baby to finish the prescribed antibiotics, as directed by your physician, to ensure that the infection is completely treated.
