Ear infections begin when a cold causes the eustachian tube, which connects the middle ear to the throat,
to swell and close. Instead of running down this tube, the extra fluid that comes along with a cold builds up in the middle ear.
Bacteria or viruses can grow in the fluid and cause ear infections.
Pain in the ear, and sometimes a fluid discharge can be present with ear infections.
Ear infections can cause temporary hearing loss.
Most ear infections just go away without needing any treatment.
It is possible, if ear infections persist, to have a tube surgically inserted to drain the fluid.
Prevention Of Ear Infections
There are some things that either increase or lessen the chance of getting ear infections:
Smoking in the presence of the child increases the chances of ear infections.
Breast feeding as opposed to bottle feeding lessens the chance of ear infections.
Because it starts with a cold or a flu, frequent hand washing reduces the presence of germs.
Being in lesser contact with other people lessens the chance of germs. Flu immunizations
reduce the chance of the flus that predate ear infections.
Lastly, babies that use pacifiers after 12 months of age are more likely to develop ear infections.
Again, over 80% of ear infections go away without needing any treatment.
