Common Symptoms of Ear Infections

Children are particularly susceptible to ear infections in East Wichita, West Wichita, and Derby, KS. This is due to the fact that they have smaller eustachian tubes that have an angle that doesn't allow for easy drainage. The immune system of a child is not as strong as an adult's. Our experienced pediatricians at Mid-Kansas Pediatric Associates are equipped to diagnose and treat ear infections at all of our offices.

Most ear infections in younger children happen in the middle ear. They can be either viral or bacterial. In most cases, viral ear infections do not need antibiotics.  The symptoms of ear infections in East Wichita, West Wichita, and Derby, KS can be slightly different between babies and older children, but of course, your infant can't tell you that their ear hurts.

Babies and Toddlers

Look for these symptoms in your younger children:

• Pulling or grabbing at their ear.
• Having a fever
• Being particularly crabby and crying more than normal
• Crying when feeding 
• Trouble falling asleep and staying asleep 
• Look for drainage from the ear
• If they are toddling, they may seem off-balance or dizzy
• They don't respond if you call their name

All of these symptoms are not necessarily caused by an ear infection. It is important to bring your child in to see their pediatrician and not try to get a diagnosis over the phone. You want the doctor to be looking into your baby's ears to see what is going on.

Old Children

Older children will be able to vocalize what they are feeling. They can tell you that they are feeling pain in their ear.  They may describe it as pressure or as a sharp pain in one or both ears. A fever often accompanies an ear infection, and it can be anywhere from 100 F to 104 F. If it goes higher than 104 F, don't waste any time calling your pediatrician. Other symptoms to look for include:

• Loss of appetite
• Difficulty sleeping
• Loss of hearing
• Drainage from the ear that may be stinky or have blood in it

How To Treat

Antibiotics may or not be required, but if you get a prescription for your child, be sure to follow the directions. If your child has chronic ear infections, ear tubes may be recommended. If ear tubes don't stop ear infections, it may be suggested that the adenoids be removed. This is a solution you can discuss with your pediatrician.

Contact Mid-Kansas Pediatric Associates to get treatment for your child's ear infections in East Wichita, West Wichita, and Derby, KS. We can be reached at (316) 634-2000 - East Wichita  |  (316) 773-3100 - West Wichita  |  (316) 719-2001 - Derby. Don't delay, give us a call today.