What happens if my child keeps getting ear infections?

Doctor's Answers 1

When you say your son was diagnosed with a middle ear infection, this usually means that he had an infection of his eardrum with possibly some infected fluid trapped behind. If a short course of antibiotics doesn’t help, then the usual treatment is to have a tiny ventilation tube called a “grommet”, inserted into the eardrum to improve the ventilation of the middle ear.

In young kids, this is done as a short and very safe day case procedure asleep under general anaesthetic. Sometimes, removal of the enlarged adenoid tissue blocking the back of the nose and the Eustachian pressure tubes which connect to the ears, is performed at the same operation together with the grommet insertion.

Many children with recurrent ear infections also tend to suffer from chronic nose infections, which cause them to suffer a persistently blocked and runny nose (see photos).

Although some other doctors might prescribe a prolonged course of antibiotics lasting several weeks for the child with recurrent middle ear infections, I often find this doesn’t help much and only temporarily settles the problem.

Once the antibiotics are stopped, I notice the ear infections tend to return. In addition, the side effects of long courses of antibiotics e.g. upset tummy with loose stool, as well as the risk of growing antibiotic-resistant “bugs” in your child’s ears have to be carefully considered before starting a young child on them.

Similar Questions

How soon do I need treatment for ear blockage due to an ear infection?

Thank you for your question. Ear blockage or hearing loss can be due to: 1. Conductive hearing loss – Hearing loss due to a physical blockage of the ear canal or middle ear (space deep to the ear drum thaf houses the hearing bones). Common causes include: Impacted ear wax Ear infections Fluid in the middle ear Foreign body in the ear Stiffening of the hearing bones. Conductive hearing loss are usually reversible (ie hearing can revert back to normal) once the underlying cause is treated. 2.

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Answered By

Dr Eng Cern Gan

ENT Doctor

Do I have an ear infection after cleaning my ear with a Q-tip?

Thank you for your question. Yes, Q-tips or any other cotton buds are not meant to be inserted into the ear canals as they are too big! You will end up pushing your earwax deeper into the ear canal or may damage the lining of the ear and cause an ear infection. I’ve also seen broken Q-tips lodged in the ear canal or puncturing the eardrum! It sounds like you may have developed an ear canal infection (also known as otitis externa) and given topical antibiotics by your GP.

Photo of Dr Eng Cern Gan

Answered By

Dr Eng Cern Gan

ENT Doctor

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