This type of infection is commonly, although not specifically, associated with fever, persistent crying, a runny nose, and perhaps even eye or ear drainage. The classic ear infection differs from the silent ear infection because of the sudden onset of significant pain and signs of infection including redness and inflammation. Classic Ear Infection (Acute Otitis Media) With these children earlier intervention may be appropriate. These include children already at risk for developmental delays or difficulties because of an unrelated condition. Some children may need evaluation of hearing, speech, and language development sooner than others. If the fluid lasts for more than four months and signs of persistent hearing loss are evident, the physician may recommend your child have tubes implanted into the ear to promote drainage. If the fluid persists longer than three months, the physician will recommend your child be tested for hearing and speech development. If your child is diagnosed with this condition, the pediatrician will want to reexamine your child in three to six months to be sure the fluid has disappeared. Also, antihistamines and antibiotics have little effect on the condition and do not help prevent delays in learning or language and speech development.Īccording to recommendations made by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the only treatment middle ear fluid warrants is watchful waiting. However, the fluid most often disappears of its own accord and does not lead to acute ear infections. for diagnosing and treating fluid in the ear each year. The condition may be diagnosed during a routine well-child visit with the use of a pneumatic otoscope, which allows the doctor to see how easily the eardrum moves.īillions of dollars are spent in the U.S. Some children, though, may rub their ear or experience mild pain, sleep disturbances, unexplained clumsiness, muffled hearing, or delays in language and speech development. The condition is also called a silent ear infection because many children have no symptoms. Over 2 million American children experience fluid in the middle ear each year, often following a cold or an acute ear infection. Middle Ear Fluid (Otitis Media with Effusion) Your child may simply have fluid in the ear and not the classic ear infection that parents and children dread. If your child is rubbing his ear, should you run to the doctor's office to demand antibiotics? Probably not.
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