Children, including infants, are susceptible to viruses and germs that cause various kinds of infection. When these germs crash into the ears, several kinds of infections can take place. A swimmer's ear infection afflicts the outer portion the ear. When the infection hits the inner zones of the ear, the case gets labeled as middle ear infection. The irritating disorder causes the body to react by releasing yellowish viscous liquid or pus to the infected interior parts of the ear. The sticky liquid contains compounds that fight off bacteria.
The process of staving off ear infections creates pain. The interior of the ear beyond the eardrum looks like a small air pocket. The moment pus fills this portion of the ear, we feel as if something is going to explode. It creates throbbing sensations that make us irritated and uncomfortable.
The experience can get nastier among children. The infections, the process of fending them off, and the resulting pain and irritations, can get complicated and may cause fever. Also, the clogging of the interior parts of the ear with anti-bacteria liquid can create difficulties in hearing for some children.
Infants under the the age of three are the least capable of coping with ear infections. The Eustachian Tubes which connect the throat to the inner portions of the ear are not yet fully developed among this age group. These tubes facilitate air movements within the inner portions of the ear. With underdeveloped tubes, hostile germs trapped inside them multiply more easily, causing greater harm to the body. As the child grows, however, these tubes also increase their capacity to expel unwanted intruders such as infection-causing germs and viruses.
The common cold, which victimizes more children than adults, can also cause ear infections. This happens because cold likewise triggers a process that leads to dysfunctions in the Eustachian Tubes, allowing germs to slip into the middle portions of the ear. Hence although ear infections by themselves are not contagious, they can easily spread through the cold virus.
The family is therefore well advised to seek the help of physicians when anyone of its members shows signs of ear infections or even a recurring case of cold. Doctors examine the afflicted ear with a medical device called otoscope. The special apparatus emits light and makes the eardrum visible. The eardrum is a delicate thin membrane that separates the external portions of the ear from the interior parts. When needed, the Doctor can also use the otoscope to blow air into the ear and test the eardrum if it is working. The pus that fills the middle parts of the ear as a natural body response to the infection presses the eardrum and may cause it to turn red, swollen and disconfigured.
In such cases doctors recommend that a dose of pain relievers be taken for a couple of days. Moreover, they will prescribe anti-biotics for infection cases that are caused by bacteria. Applying anti-biotics can effectively check infections, but it must be done thoroughly and consistent with what the doctor prescribes to prevent the disease from coming back. Children who get inflicted with ear infections too often might be required to undergo other tests like tympanogram and audiogram.
Children need to be extra careful to prevent ear infection. Regular washing of hands is important. This prevents the spread of cold viruses. In the same manner, children need to keep distance from people who suffer from cold. If contact with persons who are infected with cold cannot be avoided, they must thoroughly and frequently cleanse their hands, and avoid touching their noses or eyes. Also, tobacco smoke adversely affects the normal functioning of Eustachian Tubes and can create dire consequences for children. Smokers will therefore do the children a favor if they keep themselves away from children.
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