How Ear Infections Can Affect Young Children

Dalton, Georgia, pediatrician Rami Azzouz has steadily built up a successful practice over the past dozen years. Rami Azzouz has extensive knowledge of conditions that commonly impact young patients, including ear infections.

Frequently occurring just after a cold, ear infections involve a virus or bacteria. As inflammation impacts the middle ear, fluid starts to collect behind the eardrum. Swelling also can affect the Eustachian tube, which runs along the nose, ears, and throat.

Children have particular vulnerabilities, as their Eustachian tubes are narrower and shorter. This makes it more likely that germs will breach the middle ear and fluid will be trapped there. With less-developed immune systems, infants and toddlers are particularly at risk.

When ear infections are suspected, it’s important to visit a pediatrician and receive an informed diagnosis. While many such infections resolve themselves on their own, some require antibiotic treatment. Common treatments for milder infections include a warm compress, cold pack, or over-the-counter drugs such as acetaminophen.