Ear Infections in Children

Ear Infections in Children

Could your child have an ear infection? An ear infection happens when your child gets infected fluid or pus behind the eardrum. If you think your child has an ear infection, take him or her to an Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) doctor. West Coast ENT Head and Neck Surgery, with offices in Thousand Oaks, CA, Simi Valley, CA, Oxnard, CA, and Camarillo, CA, offers treatments for ear infections. Read on to learn more!

Ear Infections Overview- Ear infections are common in kids, though they can develop in both children and adults. Ear infections occur when fluid builds up in the middle ear and they are the most common reason parents bring their children to an ENT doctor. Ear infections can cause temporary hearing loss in children, so it's a good idea to take your child to a doctor if you suspect that they may have come down with one.

Causes of Ear Infections- Ear infections are usually caused by bacteria that occurs when fluid builds up in the ear, and they often begin after a child has a sore throat or a cold. Eustachian tubes are smaller in kids than they are in adults, which can make it difficult for fluid to drain out of the ear. Consequently, children are more likely to get ear infections than adults.

Symptoms of an Ear Infection- The most common symptom of an ear infection is an earache. Older children may complain of an earache, but an infant might just pull and tug at the ear and cry more often. A low-grade fever is another one of the hallmarks of an ear infection in children. You may also notice white or yellow fluid draining from your child's ear.

Diagnosis of Ear Infections- An ENT doctor can diagnose an ear infection based on the described symptoms and an exam. The doctor may also use a lighted instrument, called an otoscope, to examine your child's eardrum and check for fluid behind the eardrum.

Treatment of Ear Infections- The doctor may prescribe an antibiotic to be taken over seven to ten days, and/or an over-the-counter pain reliever or eardrops to help with fever and pain. It's important to make sure your child takes the medications exactly as prescribed and for the full amount of time. Stopping the medication too soon could allow the infection to come back.

An ear infection can affect your child's daily activities and make life miserable. Call West Coast ENT Head and Neck Surgery at 805-379-9646 today to schedule an appointment in Thousand Oaks, CA. Call 805-527-7320 to schedule an appointment in Simi Valley, CA. Call 805-983-0395 to schedule an appointment in Oxnard, CA. Call 805-484-5929 to schedule an appointment in Camarillo, CA. We will help your child achieve relief with little expense or trouble.

Contact Us

Send us an email

Our Locations

Find us on the map

Hours of Operation

Our Regular Schedule

Monday:

8:00 am-5:00 pm

Tuesday:

8:00 am-5:00 pm

Wednesday:

8:00 am-5:00 pm

Thursday:

8:00 am-5:00 pm

Friday:

8:00 am-5:00 pm

Saturday:

Closed

Sunday:

Closed