An ear infection, also referred to as ‘otitis media’ 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, according to National Institutes of Health—NIH.
Experts says that children are more likely to suffer from ear infections than adults because their immune systems are underdeveloped and less equipped to fight off infections.
Dr Tharcisse Ngambe, a paediatrician at King Faisal Hospital-Kacyiru, explains that the ear is divided into three major parts; outer ear (that’s the part from the external ear to the eardrum), middle ear (the eardrum to inner ear) and the inner ear (the last part that sends signals to brain). Ear infections usually refers to infection in the middle ear.
The infection can be caused by either bacteria or viruses, symptoms and signs depend on age but may include, irritability, food refusal, fever, ear pain, poor sleep, ear discharge and trouble hearing, he says.
The paediatrician stresses that children are at a higher risk to get ear infections because of recurrent colds, allergies, among others factors.
Dr Stephenson Musiime, an Associate Professor of Paediatrics and Chief Consultant Paediatrician at GLAMERC POLYCLINIC, says that children below two years are easier to get ear infections because their ear canal (eustachian tube) is small in size and horizontally shaped. This makes it hard for fluid to drain out of the ear leading to blockage and high risk of infection.
Secondly, their immune systems are lower than those of adults and they are more exposed and susceptible to common colds which may lead to ear infection.
"When a child or toddler who keeps getting ear infections may be having risk factors like low immunity, this child should seek medical attention to identify the associated risk factors and be treated accordingly,” he says.
For him, most ear infections last between three to five days but there are some which may go beyond a month. Always seek medical advice if your child has pain in the ear, pus discharge or fluid coming from the ear, fever or hearing loss.
According to Musiime, untreated ear infections can lead to spread of infection to nearby tissues like the brain tissues (meningitis) and bone (mastoiditis). It may damage the eardrum or lead to chronic pus discharge from the ears, in addition to hearing loss.
Musiime highlights that babies who are exclusively breastfed for the first six months acquire immunity that reduces the risk of infections.
"Similarly, vaccinations offer immunity to most of the infections in children. Additionally, general hygiene like hand washing prevents the spread of germs that cause diseases like common colds. Bottle feeding babies from the bed puts them at a risk of milk entering their ears and subsequent ear infections, therefore avoid bottle feeding babies while they’re lying down. Avoid exposure to second-hand smoke because it predisposes to ear infections.
"Home remedies in case a child develops an ear infection can include giving them paracetamol to control the fever and pain, then seek medical help. Be sure to give the prescribed medications appropriately,” he says.
The prevention of ear infection, could be averting smoking in vicinity of children, controlling allergies, preventing colds by reducing exposure to colds during first year of life, frequent hand hygiene before handling a baby, bottle feeding baby in upright angle, breastfeeding exclusively for at least six months and keeping baby vaccinations up to date as required, Ngambe states.