Many of us had a few uncomfortable ear infections as children. You may remember a sensation of pain or pressure, muffled hearing or the urge to tug on your earlobe. Now, as a parent, you might find yourself trying to comfort your child when those same symptoms appear. That’s why there’s no better time to learn about identifying and caring for ear infections than flu season.
How Does Flu Season Affect the Likelihood of Ear Infections?
Flu season, typically from October through May, is a particularly common time for ear infections because viruses like the flu and common cold cause inflammation in the Eustachian tubes—the thin canals connecting your ears to the back of your throat. When a virus inflames the Eustachian tubes, fluid can accumulate in the space behind the middle ear, creating an ideal environment for infection to develop.
Signs of Ear Infections
Older kids may exhibit one or more of the following signs of an ear infection:
- Ear pain or pressure
- Muffled hearing
- Loss of appetite
- Fluid discharge from the ear
- Irritability or changes in mood
Infants and younger children won’t be able to tell you how they’re feeling, but they may also present with the following:
- Rubbing or tugging on the ears
- Acting fussy or crying more than usual
- A fever (100.4 °F or higher)
- Decreased appetite
- Mouth breathing
- Snoring
When Should I Seek ENT Help?
While an ear infection isn’t much fun, it’s very treatable. If your child develops an ear infection, watch for the following signs that indicate you should seek medical care:
- A fever of 102.2°F degrees or higher (100.4°F for children under three months old)
- Worsening pain
- Fluid from the ear (this could be a sign that their eardrum has burst)
- Symptoms lasting longer than three days
If your child exhibits any of the above signs, schedule an appointment with one of our ENT experts at Midwest Ear, Nose & Throat. We’ll carefully examine your child’s ears and guide you through appropriate treatment options. Whether that includes monitoring, antibiotics, or care for a ruptured eardrum, our goal is to help your child recover safely and comfortably.
More from our blog