Antibiotics Used To Treat Ear Infections

What Can Increase My Risk Of An Ear Infection

While normally ear infections can occur in completely healthy individuals as well as those with a weakened immune system, there are factors that increase the risk. Things like altitude changes, or climate changes, increased exposure to smoke from cigarettes, use of a pacifier or a recent illness can all increase the risk of an ear infection.

Get Ear Infection Treatment

With our same day ear infection treatment service you can meet with a top online doctor, get diagnosed and receive the treatment you need. Our doctors can determine if youve got an ear infection and what kind. If you have a bacterial ear infection that is safe to treat online a doctor can prescribe antibiotics.

Ear infection treatment varies depending on the type of infection. Some treatment options involve pain management such as Tylenol while others require prescription antibiotics. Speak to a doctor to get an official diagnosis and treatment plan.

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The Role Of Eustachian Tubes

The eustachian tubes connect the middle ear to the back of the throat. The ends of these tubes open and close to regulate air pressure in the middle ear, resupply air to this area, and drain normal secretions.

A respiratory infection or allergy can block the eustachian tubes, causing a buildup of fluids in the middle ear. Infection can occur if this fluid becomes infected bacterially.

The eustachian tubes of young children are smaller and more horizontal than in older children and adults. This means that fluid is more likely to collect in the tubes rather than drain away, increasing the risk of an ear infection.

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Specific Antibiotics Used For Acute Otitis Media

Amoxicillin, a penicillin type of antibiotic, is generally recommended for first-line treatment of AOM. The combination drug amoxicillin-clavulanate is an alternative option. Children who are allergic to penicillin drugs will be prescribed a different antibiotic.

Children who do not respond within 48 to 72 hours to initial treatment with amoxicillin may be given a course of amoxicillin-clavulanate or ceftriaxone. Alternative treatments are ceftriaxone or clindamycin, which may also be accompanied by a different cephalosporin antibiotic.

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Can I Give My Dog Benadryl For Ear Infection

For most dogs, the appropriate dosage of Benadryl is perfectly safe. It will begin to reduce symptoms like skin rashes in about an hour. Getting the dosage right is important because most Benadryl tablets are intended for humans. Some dogs can be quite small, so they need less Benadryl than a person.

Do Ear Infections Always Need To Be Treated With Antibiotics

I see many parents bring their children in to Express Care with ear infections and request antibiotics, but sometimes antibiotics arent the right choice. Most ear infections cure themselves without the help of antibiotics.

Lets first discuss what an ear infection is and other approaches to take. An ear infection is a bacterial or viral infection that affects the ear. It becomes painful when buildups of fluid and inflammation occur in the air-filled space behind the eardrum. Signs and symptoms of infection will quickly show. A great way to tell if your child has an ear infection is if he or she start showing the following symptoms:

• Pain in the ear, especially while lying down
• Pulling or tugging the ear
• Difficulty sleeping
• Difficulty hearing or responding to sounds
• Fever or headache

Generally, an ear infection will improve within the first couple days, and clear up within one to two weeks without any treatment. It is recommended to use the wait-and-see approach for:

• Children age 6 to 23 months with mild inner ear pain in one ear for less than 48 hours and a temperature less than 102.2 F
• Children age 2 and older with mild inner ear pain in one or both ears for less than 48 hours and a temperature less than 102.2 F

Check out these additional tips to reduce the risk of developing ear infections.

Leanna Munoz is a nurse practitioner at Express Care in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.

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Who Gets An Ear Infection

At the highest risk for ear infections include those children who:

• Are male
• Have a strong family history of otitis media
• Were not breastfed during the first 12 months of life and/or
• Reside in a smoking household.

Children with a cleft palate or HIV have particularly severe problems with recurrent ear infections.

Age affects the rate of acute otitis media, with a dramatic decline in frequency in children older than three years. However, some children with a history of ventilating tubes or frequent recurrent otitis media, severe allergies, or large adenoids may still be plagued with ear problems.

Duration Of Antibiotic Treatment

If a child needs antibiotics for acute otitis media, the drugs should be taken for the following periods of time:

• A 10-day course of antibiotics is usually recommended for children younger than 2 years of age, and for those with severe symptoms.
• A 7-day course is recommended for children 2 to 5 years of age with mild or moderate AOM.
• A 5 to 7-day course is recommended for children 6 years of age and older with mild-to-moderate symptoms.

Parents should be sure their child finishes the entire course of therapy.

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How Long Do Ear Infections Last

The most common type of middle ear infection can last anywhere from a week to two weeks, with proper treatment. Bacterial ear infections treated with antibiotics typically improve in a matter of days. Inner ear infection typically last longer. Ear infections are considered chronic when they last over six weeks. Read more about how long ear infections last here.

Physical And Structural Injuries In The Face And Ears

Serious complications or permanent physical injuries from ear infections are very uncommon, but may include:

• Structural damage. Certain children with severe or recurrent otitis media may be at risk for structural damage in the ear, including erosion of the ear canal.
• Cholesteatomas. Inflammatory tissues in the ear called cholesteatomas are an uncommon complication of chronic or severe ear infections.
• Calcifications. In rare cases, even after a mild infection, some children develop calcification and hardening in the middle and, occasionally, in the inner ear. This may be due to immune abnormalities.

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To Use The Eardrops Follow These Steps:

When To Use Antibiotics

Antibiotics are specific for the type of bacteria being treated and, in general, cannot be interchanged from one infection to another. When antibiotics are used correctly, they are usually safe with few side effects. Health care providers are able to assess each patient individually to determine the correct antibiotic, dose and length of treatment.

However, as with most drugs, antibiotics can lead to side effects that may range from being a nuisance to serious or life-threatening. In infants and the elderly, in patients with kidney or liver disease, in pregnant or breastfeeding women, and in many other patient groups, antibiotic doses may need to be adjusted based upon the individual patient. Drug interactions can also be common with antibiotics.

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Will I Need An Intravenous Antibiotic For A Uti

If you are pregnant, have a high fever, or cannot keep food and fluids down, your doctor may admit you to the hospital so you can have treatment with intravenous antibiotics for a complicated UTI. You may return home and continue with oral antibiotics when your infection starts to improve.

In areas with fluoroquinolone resistance exceeding 10%, in patients with more severe pyelonephritis, those with a complicated UTI who have allergies to fluoroquinolones, or are unable to tolerate the drug class, intravenous therapy with an agent such as ceftriaxone, or an aminoglycoside, such as gentamicin or tobramycin, may be appropriate. Your ongoing treatment should be based on susceptibility data received from the laboratory.

• tobramycin

What About Antibiotic Resistance

Youve probably heard the term antibiotic resistance before. It is referring to bacteria that have become immune to certain types of antibiotic treatment due to previous exposure. To avoid antibiotic resistance is it important to complete your prescribed antibiotic treatment to ensure all the bacteria are killed. You should also only take antibiotics when you have a bacterial infection.

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Side Effects Of Antibiotics

It’s important to also consider possible side effects when looking at the benefits of . Antibiotics can cause nausea, diarrhea and rashes. Around 5 out of 100 children who use antibiotics had one of these side effects. Using antibiotics too often also leads to the development and spread of that no longer respond to antibiotics .

Treatment For Acute Otitis Media

Most cases of AOM clear up on their own within a week and do not require antibiotic treatment. Doctors often recommend a “watchful waiting” period for the first 48 to 72 hours after symptoms appear, to see if ear pain and other symptoms resolve on their own.

For antibiotic treatment, the latest recommendations are:

• Children younger than 6 months of age should receive immediate antibiotic treatment.
• Children 6 months or older should be treated for pain within the first 24 hours with either acetaminophen or ibuprofen . Pain relievers — not antibiotics — are the main drugs used for AOM treatment.
• For children, aged 6 months to 2 years old, antibiotic treatment is recommended for either severe symptoms or for non-severe symptoms that have not improved within 48 to 72 hours. Severe AOM symptoms include moderate to severe pain and a fever of at least 102.2°F .
• For children older than 2 years, and those with mild symptoms or infection only in one ear, watchful waiting is recommended.
• Preventive antibiotics are not recommended for recurrent acute otitis media.

Ear tube insertion is an option for children who have had at least 3 occurrences of AOM in 6 months or 4 episodes in a year. However, newer guidelines strongly advise that tympanostomy tube surgery should be used only for children who have middle-ear effusion and not for children with frequent AOM infections.

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Why Are Children More Likely Than Adults To Get Ear Infections

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 childs immune system isnt as effective as an adults because its still developing. This makes it harder for children to fight infections.

As part of the immune system, the adenoids respond to bacteria passing through the nose and mouth. Sometimes bacteria get trapped in the adenoids, causing a chronic infection that can then pass on to the eustachian tubes and the middle ear.

When Not To Use Antibiotics

Antibiotics are not the correct choice for all infections. For example, most sore throats, cough and colds, flu, COVID or acute sinusitis are viral in origin and do not need an antibiotic. These viral infections are self-limiting, meaning that your own immune system will usually kick in and fight the virus off.

Using antibiotics for viral infections can increase the risk for antibiotic resistance. Antibiotic-resistant bacteria cannot be fully inhibited or killed by an antibiotic, even though the antibiotic may have worked effectively before the resistance occurred. This can also lower your options for effective treatments if an antibiotic is needed eventually due to a secondary infection. Using unnecessary antibiotics also puts you at risk for side effects and adds extra cost.

It’s important not to share your antibiotic or take medicine that was prescribed for someone else, and don’t save an antibiotic to use the next time you get sick. It may not be the right drug for your illness.

To better understand antibiotics, its best to break them down into common infections, common antibiotics, and the top antibiotic classes as listed in Drugs.com.

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What Are Complications Of Ear Infections

Complications of ear infections are uncommon with proper treatment. Complications may include:

• Hearing loss: usually temporary but may become permanent if the eardrum or middle ear structures are damaged
• Infection that spreads to nearby tissues, such as infection of the mastoid bone, which helps drain middle ear fluid
• Eardrum tears: most will heal on their own within a few days, though in some cases surgery is needed to repair it
• Speech or developmental delays in infants and toddlers if hearing is impaired

Infections In The Middle Ear

Infections in the middle ear often clear up on their own. Antibiotics make little difference to symptoms, including pain.

Antibiotics might be prescribed if:

• an ear infection does not start to get better after 3 days
• you or your child has any fluid coming out of their ear
• you or your child has an illness that means there’s a risk of complications, such as cystic fibrosis

They may also be prescribed if your child is less than 2 years old and has an infection in both ears.

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When Should I See A Doctor

A mild ear infection may go away on its own. But most cases of moderate to severe ear pain require a visit to your doctor. You should also see your doctor if youre experiencing ear discharge, fever, or chills.

Children with ear infections may constantly cry due to pain and discomfort. They might also tug or pull at the affected ear. See your doctor if symptoms dont improve within , or if they get worse.

Other signs that you should see a pediatrician include:

• fever of 102.2°F or higher

Diagnosis Of Ear Infections

Your physician will look into your ear with an otoscope, a medical instrument with a light on one end designed to get a better view inside the ear. Your doctor will look for the visual signs of ear infection, such as redness and inflammation.

To check for fluid buildup, a pneumatic otoscope, which blows air at the eardrum, will be used. If there is excessive fluid behind the eardrum, it will not move as it should when the air hits it.

In some cases, hearing tests may also be performed to assess any damage to the ear from the infection.

Different types of ear infections present with different symptoms, which can include:

• Inner ear infections: Hearing loss, ringing in the ears , dizziness, loss of balance, nausea and vomiting, and ear pain
• Middle ear infections: Fluid in the ear, ear pain, fever, a feeling of general illness, pressure in the ears, and hearing loss
• Outer ear infections: Inflammation of the ear canal, itching in the ear, ear pain, swelling of the ear canal, redness, and fluid draining from the ear

Ear Infection Doctor Discussion Guide

Children with ear infections, especially toddlers or infants, may not be able to describe their symptoms, but an ear infection will often present with the following signs:

• Tugging or pulling at their ears
• Fussing or crying
• Being clumsy and having balance issues
• Trouble hearing or responding to quiet noises

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Ear Infections And Kids Anatomy

Its their anatomy that makes them particularly susceptible.

Older children and adults have a more efficient system for clearing colds. The fluid that builds up in the ear during and after an upper respiratory illness drains down the Eustachian tube, the canal that links the ear to the nose and throat.

In children younger than age 7, the Eustachian tube is shorter and more horizontally positioned, so the fluid takes longer to drain. The build-up can press on the eardrum, causing pain that is especially noticeable to kids when they lay down, breastfeed or suck on a bottle.

What Does An Infected Ear Piercing Look Like 10 Photos To Help You Spot An Infection

Plus, doctors explain what to do if you have one.

BY KORIN MILLER

In a perfect world, youd get your ears pierced and spend the rest of your life effortlessly rocking cute earrings. In reality? Sometimes piercings get infected, andnot gonna sugar-coat itit can be really effing gross.

Luckily, infected ear piercings arent the norm and, if you get pierced at a reputable place and practice solid piercing after-care, youre probably going to be just fine. Still, infected piercings can and do happen to good people. Whomp, whomp.

If you find your piercing looking or feeling a littleoff, it can be hard to tell the difference between minor irritation and a full-blown infection. But Kenneth A. Kaplan, MD, an otolaryngologist with ENT and Allergy Associates in New Jersey, and Leila Mankarious, MD, an ear, nose and throat specialist at Massachusetts Eye and Ear, are here to clear things up that confusion and answer all the burning questions you have about infected ear piercings.

Plus, the 10 photos ahead can help you identify if youre indeed dealing with an infection.

How do ear piercings even get infected?

Anyone can get an infected ear piercing, but it usually happens due to one of two major reasons, Dr. Kaplan says: Either your piercing site wasnt adequately sterilized before you were pierced, or you kinda-sorta-definitely didnt take great care of it after you were pierced.

Do only new ear piercings get infected?

What ear piercings are most likely to become infected?

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