中耳感染

Otitis media is inflammation or infection located in the middle ear. Otitis media can occur as a result of a cold, sore 喉咙, or respiratory infection.

关于中耳炎的事实

• 关于 3 out of 4 children have at least one episode of otitis media by the time they are 3 years of age.

• Otitis media can also affect adults, although it is primarily a condition that occurs in children.

谁有患耳部感染的风险?

虽然任何孩子都可能患上耳部感染, the following are some of the factors that may increase your child's risk of developing ear infections:

• 和抽烟的人在一起

• 有耳部感染家族史

• 免疫系统薄弱

• 花时间在日托中心

• 没有母乳喂养

• 感冒了

• 躺着用奶瓶喂

耳部感染的原因?

Middle ear infections are usually a result of a malfunction of the eustachian tube, a canal that links the middle ear with the 喉咙 area. The eustachian tube helps to equalize the pressure between the outer ear and the middle ear. 当这个管子不能正常工作时, it prevents normal drainage of fluid from the middle ear, 导致鼓膜后积液. 当这些液体无法排出时, it allows for the growth of bacteria and viruses in the ear that can lead to acute otitis media. The following are some of the reasons that the eustachian tube may not work properly:

• A cold or allergy which can lead to swelling and congestion of the lining of the 鼻子, 喉咙, and eustachian tube (this swelling prevents the normal drainage of fluids from the ear)

• 咽鼓管畸形

中耳炎有哪些不同类型?

Different types of otitis media include the following:

• 急性中耳炎. This middle ear infection occurs abruptly causing swelling and redness. Fluid and mucus become trapped inside the ear, causing the child to have a fever and ear pain.

• 中耳炎伴积液. Fluid (effusion) and mucus continue to accumulate in the middle ear after an initial infection subsides. The child may experience a feeling of fullness in the ear and it may affect his or her hearing or may have no symptoms.

• 慢性中耳炎伴积液. Fluid remains in the middle ear for a prolonged period or returns again and again, 即使没有感染. May result in difficulty fighting new infection and may affect the child's hearing.

耳部感染症状

The following are the most common symptoms of otitis media. However, each child may experience symptoms differently. 症状可能包括:

• 不寻常的易怒

• 难以入睡或保持睡眠状态

• 拽拽的拽拽一只或两只耳朵的

• 发烧:发烧，尤指婴儿和幼童 

• 从耳朵排出液体

• 失去平衡

• 听力困难

• 耳朵疼痛

The symptoms of otitis media may resemble other conditions or medical problems. Always consult your child's health care provider for a diagnosis.

如何诊断中耳炎?

In addition to a complete medical history and physical examination, your child's health care provider will inspect the outer ear(s) and eardrum(s) using an otoscope. The otoscope is a lighted instrument that allows the health care provider to see inside the ear. A pneumatic otoscope blows a puff of air into the ear to test eardrum movement.

Tympanometry is a test that can be performed in most health care providers' offices to help determine how the middle ear is functioning. 它不能告诉孩子是否在听, but helps to detect any changes in pressure in the middle ear. This is a difficult test to perform in younger children because the child needs to remain still and not cry, 说话, 或移动.

A hearing test may be performed for children who have frequent ear infections.

耳部感染治疗

Specific treatment for otitis media will be determined by your child's health care provider based on the following:

• 孩子的年龄、整体健康状况和病史

• 情况的程度

• Your child's tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies

• 对病情发展的预期

• 你的意见或偏好

治疗包括:

• 口服或滴耳抗生素药物

• 药物(治疗疼痛和发烧)

• 观察

• 以上的组合

If fluid remains in the ear(s) for longer than three months, and the infection continues to reoccur even with the use of antibiotics, 您孩子的医疗保健提供者可能会建议您这样做 在耳朵里放置一些小管子。. 这个外科手术, 叫鼓膜切开术, involves making a small opening in the eardrum to drain the fluid and relieve the pressure from the middle ear. A small tube is placed in the opening of the eardrum to ventilate the middle ear and to prevent fluid from accumulating. The child's hearing is restored after the fluid is drained. The tubes usually fall out on their own after six to 12 months.

Your child's surgeon may also recommend the removal of the adenoids (lymph tissue located in the space above the soft roof of the mouth, 也被称为鼻咽部)，如果他们被感染. Removal of the adenoids has shown to help some children with otitis media.

治疗取决于中耳炎的类型. Consult your child's health care provider regarding treatment options.

耳部感染的长期影响

In addition to the symptoms of an ear infection listed above, untreated ear infections can result in any or all of the following:

• 头部其他部位感染

• 永久性听力损失

• 言语和语言发展的问题