Ear infections are more common in boys when there is a family history of otitis media. It is quite common for the middle ear to become infected during the winter months when colds and respiratory infections occur.
Signs and Symptoms
The signs and symptoms of ear infection can be very mild or range in severity to very extreme. Here is a list of signs and symptoms that will indicate that your child likely has an ear infection.
Your child complains of pain when she lies down, sucks or chews. This is because these activities cause fluctuation of pressure in the middle ear. Your child may refuse to eat or wake up in the middle of the night because she is in pain. This often is accompanied by crying.
Older children may tell you they have an earache because a build up of fluid is causing pressure on their eardrum. Young children may cry and be extremely irritable or may cry and pull at their ears.
Fluid buildup in the middle ear can cause your child’s eardrum to rupture if it is very severe. This allows the ear to drain and pain may disappear because draining releases the pressure.
If fluid builds up in your child’s middle ear, she may not hear well because sounds are blocked. This can cause temporary hearing loss, which may include:
Your child turning up his music or the television.
Louder talking than normal.
Inattentiveness at home or school.
Other Symptoms of acute middle ear infection may be:
Dizziness.
Fever.
Vomiting.
Nausea.
Staggering or loss of balance.
Otitis Media with Effusion
This type of middle ear infection often has no symptoms whatsoever. On the other hand, your child may complain of frequent ear popping. The fluid behind your child’s eardrum can cause temporary hearing loss that is not obvious to either you or your child.
Contagion
Middle ear infections are not contagious. Your child cannot pass it on to others. He can pass colds and respiratory infections that cause it.