“How do you treat an ear infection in a child?”

30 percent case ear infection is viral but it is difficult to culture ear fluid so we treat with antibiotic . If it is bacterial we Tx with antibiotic ,if it is allergic Tx with antisllergic

Good question which requires some explanation as it relates to symptoms and what some symptoms may Mimic an acute ear infection. Most of the time a so called ear ache is probably related to the ear structures. Some of the time an earache can be related to such things as an infection of the ear canal such as swimmers ear. An ear ache may be related to pressure on the ear drum by excess fluid usually with a cold or allergy congestion. Typical ear infections however are common and usually follow an acute illness with congestion and coughing. After a short period of time the congestion may cause some blockage to normal drainage of the middle ear And a secondary infection in this fluid filled middle ear. Then the fever if there was one may recur with Acute ear pain, vomiting. A typical infected middle ear when looked at directly with an otoscope reveals Usually a sl retracted but very red ear drum. This is treated with oral broad spectrum antibiotics such As amoxicillin. A ten day course at appropriate dosage will usually eliminate the infection. Such meds as Tylenol or Motrin can mitigate the pain and fever. One other important point about ear infections As it relates to the age of the child. As a child gets older especially approaching 3-4 to 6 years and Older, the anatomy of the ear complex changes. The infants and toddlers have an ear complex where The connection from the ear to the drainage of the Eustachian tube is minimized by the mostly straight horizontal Position of the tube which does not allow fluid drainage by gravity. The older child as he or she grows, The Eustachian tube tips downward allowing fluid to drain and the frequency of acute otitis media Seems to be less and less.