Conditions
Otitis media
Otitis media is an ear infection which causes fluid to build up in the middle ear, behind the eardrum, and it’s sometimes referred to as ‘glue ear’ because of the sticky mucus it generates. Not surprisingly it often causes earaches, but also headaches, problems hearing, fever and a general sense of being unwell. It’s one of the most common illnesses to affect younger kids, particularly between two and six, and ninety per cent of all children will be affected by it at some point.
Viral infection is the most common cause of otitis media, but allergy, bacteria, blockage in the middle ear and malnutrition can also trigger the condition. Your child cannot pick it through swimming or being in the bath however.
There are really two types of otitis media. The acute form doesn’t last long (up to two weeks, and often just a few days) but the symptoms are more intense. There’ll be pain in the ear and, as the body’s own immune system kicks in to fight it off, some of the sticky, pus-like liquid that has gathered in the ear will automatically be discharged, after which your child will start to feel better. In a prolonged or chronic infection the fluid remains stuck in the ear even after the infection has gone. This makes it harder to fight off new infections so it may seem as if the condition keeps returning.
Otitis media often doesn’t need treatment – it’ll clear up naturally, and it’s quite normal for kids under two to get it again within the same 12 months. If you do see a doctor, he or she may prescribe a painkiller and then wait a couple of days for the body to do the rest. If the condition keeps coming back though, your doctor may suggest a specialist. One method of treatment for recurrent ear infections of this sort is to insert a grommet into the eardrum, which will help the clear the sticky liquid which causes the pain.
Though having earache is always unpleasant for your child, the fact that it is so common shows how hard it is guard against the condition, and apart from the pain and a temporary loss of hearing during the infection itself, it does not usually leave any lasting damage.
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my daughter has a cough and cold and is complaining with earace both side of her ears iput have given her calpol and put olive oil in her ear am i doing the right thing she has had cold and coughs for 4 days now
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my son who is 13 has a really sore ear, it has a white stuff in the ear canal and is nearly closed over, other ear is fine, i was told by a friend that it wasnt ear wax as it is pure white, can anyone help
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my son is 19 months old. he has frequent ear infections but this time is having discharges and it smells . i took hem to the gp and when the doctor was visiting his ear started bleeding inside. he prescribed antibiotic for a week.i am really worry should i take him to the hospital? thank you.
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I'm 13 and I've got about 10 blackheads in my ears, they're murder to get out! Any suggestions of how I could?
Asked on 21 Feb 2011 16:02 by Georgia
replies - can you help?
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My son is 2yrs and 10mths old, when he was 1yr he suffered with a viral infection which ended up with him having a like sticky discharge coming from his ear, he has had grommets fitted twice and even had his adenoids removed recently and he is still suffering with this discharge coming from his ear! Can anybody help or give me any info on this as i am completly baffled. Thanks
Asked on 8 Aug 2010 17:31 by Samantha
replies - can you help?
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I have a 9 year old daughter who suffers with at least 1 ear infection every 2-3 months. Up untill beginng of last year I was told to give her antibiotics and paracetamol then last year they started to swab the year and was given ear drops. A few months ago the doctor told my daughter to blow her nose regular which she does but as my doctor has told her to do this on a few occasions now my daughter tends to hide the fact she has earache as she's emmbarrased to be told to blow her nose. Have asked my doctor to reffur her to an ent specialist but they dont seem to be listening. she often gets a thick mucus coming from her ear. I don't know what else to do please help?
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my daughter is 6 and was diagnosed with 2 glue ears after her drum perforated. or gunge popped out in simple terms. i noticed she had trouble hearing me and had a appt with ent people set up just prior to the gunge incident. she may grow out of this but she has to pop her ears a lot like you would do on a plane and has to be careful when its cold as when she catches a cold her hearing is poor. all we can do is get her tested at ent clinic every 6 months and tell all her teachers to speak closely or facing her to guarantee she has actually heard them. family are well aware.
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I am 14 years old and I suffer with bad ear infections , I get them when I go on planes , if I go under water , if the window is down in the car or if we go down hills in the car , I now wear earplugs on a plane and it does help but I will still sometimes get ear infections . As I've had so many ear infections my hearing is starting to go , my doctor checked them out a few days ago and I am now deaf in one ear because of the infections which is annoying , I sometimes get ear infections for know reason and my ears are always a bit sore now , what should I do ? Some help please . Thanks .
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im 13 year old boy with gromits, i want to join the raf but i cant cause ive got grommits, ive had them nearly all my life and im woundering if they will get better befor im 18 so i can join the raf, plz reply, thanks.
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