Infant Ear Infections

Infant ear infections are one of the most common illnesses that parents run into and most cases the ear infection will develop after nasal congestion or a cold. Babies are incapable of telling us what is wrong with them so it’s sometimes hard to decipher if the infant has an ear infection. A good way to tell if your infant has an ear infection is to observe changes in his or her mood. If the child is more fussy than usual or has even the slightest fever, then a parent should be on the lookout for a problem. Common symptoms of infant ear infections include:

• Crying and irritability
• Clumsiness or trouble with balancing
• Grabbing or tugging ears
• Diarrhea or vomiting
• Fever
• Lack of appetite
• Drainage from the ear
• Unpleasant smell from the ear
• Trouble sleeping

Infant ear infections are very common but should not be ignored. These type of ear infections are easy for babies to get because their eustachian tubes are very short and horizontal. As the infant grows into an adult, the tube will become more vertical and longer which decreases the chances of an infection. Many middle ear infections get better without treatment. However, if the symptoms of the infection persist longer than a week, a parent should take their infant to the doctor.

At Northeast Georgia ENT, we are experienced in treating infant ear infections. If you think your infant might have an ear infection, contact us today to schedule an appointment.