Hello all well after a fussy child and fever for 2 days we are going thru our 2st inner ear infection. I was quick to think swim lessons were the cause until the doctor explained inner ear infections are viral and swimmer's ear effects the outer ear only and usually doesn't have fever and/or the accompanying sore throat she has:( I was so worried she had her highest fever to date of 103.5 at the doctors office but is now on antibiotics and tylenol/motrin every 4 hours. The below info was helpful to me from Dr.sears website.
DOES YOUR CHILD HAVE AN EAR INFECTION? HOW TO TELL.
Your child has a bothersome cold for a week. Her nasal discharge turns a little green and her cough starts to keep you all up at night. Then one night she is up every hour extremely fussy with a fever. You take her into the doctor in the morning almost certain she has another ear infection.
Ear infections are one of the most worrisome illnesses for both parents and children to go through, especially if they frequently recur. They also are the most common reason for antibiotic prescriptions. Here's a guide to help you understand why ear infections occur, how to best treat them, and most importantly, how you can prevent them from happening too often.
EIGHT MAIN SYMPTOMS OF AN EAR INFECTION
Your child may have 2 or more of these symptoms:
- Cold symptoms – keep in mind that ear infections are almost always preceded by a cold. Often a clear runny nose will turn yellow or green before an ear infection sets in.
- Fussiness during the day or night
- Complaining of ear pain or hearing loss
- Night-waking more frequently
- Unwillingness to lie flat
- Fever – usually low grade (101º – 102º); may not have a fever.
- Sudden increase in fussiness during a cold
- Ear drainage – if you see blood or pus draining out of the ear, then it is probably an infection with a ruptured eardrum. DON'T WORRY! These almost always heal just fine, and once the eardrum ruptures the pain subsides.
