Suggest Treatment For Persistent Ear Infections In A Child

Hi, 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. An ear infection usually is caused by bacteria and often begins after a child has a sore throat, cold, or other upper respiratory infection. If the upper respiratory infection is bacterial, these same bacteria may spread to the middle ear; if the upper respiratory infection is caused by a virus, such as a cold, bacteria will move into the middle ear as a secondary infection. There are several reasons why children are more likely than adults to get ear infections. Eustachian tubes are smaller and more level in children than they are in adults. This makes it difficult for fluid to drain out of the ear, even under normal conditions. If the eustachian tubes are swollen or blocked with mucus due to a cold or other respiratory illness, fluid may not be able to drain. A child’s immune system isn’t as effective as an adult’s because it’s still developing. This makes it harder for children to fight infections. There are other options also if Amoxicillin does not work or if the child is allergic to Amoxicillin. Cefpodoxime is a very good antibiotic which will be effective in the ear infection. So I will suggest talking to your doctor again or it will be better to consult a pediatrician at the earliest. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. Regards, Dr. Prabhash Verma, General & Family Physician