Ear Infections

April 28, 2026 | An ear infection is an inflammation of the middle ear, usually caused by bacteria, that occurs when fluid builds up behind the eardrum. Anyone can get an ear infection, but children get them more often than adults. Five out of six children will have at least one ear infection by their third birthday. In fact, ear infections are the most common reason parents bring their child to a doctor. The scientific name for an ear infection is otitis media. Acute otitis media is the most common ear infection. Parts of the middle ear are infected and swollen and fluid is trapped behind the eardrum. This causes pain in the ear, commonly called an earache. Otitis media with effusion sometimes happens after an ear infection has run its course and fluid stays trapped behind the eardrum. Chronic otitis media with effusion happens when fluid remains in the middle ear for a long time or returns over and over again, even though there is no infection.

April 28, 2026 | Children get more ear infections than adults because their immune systems are still developing, making it more difficult for them to fight off any infection. Also, the eustachian tube that connects a child’s middle ear to the back of their throat is shorter, narrower and more horizontal than an adult’s. This makes it harder for fluid to drain out of the ear, which can lead to fluid buildup and bacterial growth. Many children develop ear infections because of daily exposure to germs that cause colds, flu and other respiratory illnesses at school or at child care centers. Secondhand smoke and even thirdhand smoke, smoke residue that can stick to furniture, carpeting or clothes, have been shown to elevate a child’s risks for ear infections and other health issues such as bronchitis, pneumonia, susceptibility to colds and even tooth decay. Drinking from a bottle when lying down for a nap or overnight can also lead to an ear infection.

April 28, 2026 | Do you have a child that is constantly tugging or pulling on their ear? This may be a sign that they have an ear infection. Gresham Richter, chair of the UAMS Department of Otolaryngology, says ear infections can cause a sharp pain or a dull throbbing ache that may come and go or remain constant. And it’s common for the pain to become worse at night. A baby or toddler that doesn’t respond the way they normally do when you speak to them may have an ear infection. Some children with prolonged hearing loss related to ear infections may have delayed speech and language development. Other symptoms can include a fever or headache as well as fluid in the ear, which could be a sign that the infection may have ruptured the ear drum. Ear infections can cause serious discomfort and sleep loss, so it’s important to have your child checked right away if they display any of these symptoms.

April 28, 2026 | If your child has an ear infection, their pediatrician may prescribe an antibiotic such as amoxicillin to be taken over seven to 10 days. The doctor may also recommend an over-the-counter pain reliever like acetaminophen to help with fever and pain. If your doctor prescribes an antibiotic, it’s important to make sure your child takes it exactly as prescribed and for the full amount of time. Even though your child may seem better in a few days, the infection still hasn’t completely cleared from the ear. Stopping the medicine too soon could allow the infection to come back. If your child has recurring ear infections, their pediatrician may recommend a surgical procedure that places a small tube 1/20^th the size of a dime in the eardrum to help remove the fluid that has accumulated and the source of the infection. Ear tubes reduce the number of infections and make it easier to treat them with ear drops if a new infection does occur.

April 28, 2026 | To lower the risk of your child getting an ear infection, you should do your best to prevent them from getting any colds or illnesses. Teach them to wash their hands often and not to share their utensils. If they cough or sneeze, they should do so into their elbow. Children might have less risk of getting ill if they spend less time in group child care. Or the risk of illness might be lower if they’re in child care with fewer children. Make sure they no one smokes in your home and when away from home, stay in places that are smoke free. Breast feeding might help protect babies from ear infections if they breastfeed for at least six months. It’s also a good idea to hold bottle-fed babies upright while they feed. Don’t prop a bottle in the mouth of a baby who’s lying down and don’t put bottles in the crib with a baby. And be sure to get any vaccinations a child needs, as seasonal flu shots and other vaccines might help prevent ear infections.