Recognizing the Signs and Symptoms of Ear Infections in Kids

If you notice your child is tugging at an ear, your child could have an ear infection, a common condition treated by a pediatrician. Drs. Johanna Rodriguez-Toledo, Zacharia Reda, and Heli Bhatt at Newport Children’s Medical Group at Mission offer a full range of medical services for children, including diagnosing and treating ear infections. They have a convenient office location in Mission Viejo, CA.

What You Need To Know About Ear Infections in Kids

If your child is tugging at an ear, there is a good chance your child might have an ear infection. Other signs and symptoms of an ear infection include:

• Frequent fussiness and crying
• Draining fluid out of the ears
• Experiencing trouble hearing sounds and responding
• Having a fever and trouble sleeping
• Experiencing problems with balance

If you notice any of these signs and symptoms, it may mean that bacteria have invaded the middle ear, causing an ear infection. Ear infections can easily happen if your child has had a cold or the flu. Children are much more prone to ear infections because the ear structures are not as well developed as adults, making it much easier for bacteria to enter the ear.

If you notice any signs and symptoms of an ear infection, your child must visit the pediatrician for an examination and antibiotic prescription. The antibiotics need to be taken for 7 to 10 days. Prescription-strength ear drops may also be prescribed.

You can do a lot to help prevent ear infections. You need to:

• Have your child wash their hands often
• Avoid exposing your child to cigarette smoke
• Avoid exposing your child to people who are sick

Want To Know More About Childhood Ear Infections?

To learn more about the causes, signs, symptoms, and treatment of ear infections, call Drs. Johanna Rodriguez-Toledo, Reda, and Bhatt at Newport Children’s Medical Group at Mission. You can reach them in Mission Viejo, CA, by calling (949) 364-8700, so call today.