Most of us have the tendency to dismiss an earache as a condition that will go away sooner or later; left untreated, an earache becomes a full-blown ear infection. Ear infections often lead to complications which develop into serious medical conditions such as facial nerve paralysis or even loss of hearing.

What is an Ear Infection?

Medically known as otitis media, an ear infection is commonly associated with infants and young children, but it has not be unknown to affect adults. That area behind your eardrum where miniscule bones pick up all kinds of vibrations which are passed on to your inner ear is called the “middle ear.”

An infection in your middle ear may be a result of the flu, cold or other types of infections of the respiratory system. This middle ear infection happens because that middle ear is directly connected by a small channel called the “Eustachian tube” to your respiratory tract. Germs inhabiting your sinus cavities or nose often climb up this tube and enter your middle ear and create their habitats there.

Causes of Ear Infections

Your middle ear is supposed to have adequate ventilation of air which passes from up behind your nose through its Eustachian tube to keep it dry and clean. The absence of clean and fresh air to ventilate the middle ear results in the clogging or blockage of the Eustachian tube, making the area stagnant, warm, and damp; this condition makes the place excellent breeding residence for germs and other bacteria to settle in.

The Eustachian tubes in babies and children has difficulty in staying open because it is usually very soft or has not fully developed. Sinus infections, nasal drainage, common cold viruses, adenoid problems, and allergies are possible obstacles to the Eustachian tube’s function to allow air passage into the middle ear. Ear infections are characterized by red and bulging eardrums.

How an Infection Develops in the Middle Ear

A viral infection in a child’s upper respiratory system such as the flu or a cold has the potential of swelling the Eustachian tube to the point where air is no longer able to pass into the child’s middle ear. Allergies to animal dander, dust, pollen, and even to food can have similar effects as smoke, fumes, and other airborne toxins to the middle ear.

While bacteria have been shown to cause ear infections directly, these organisms generally come after an allergy or a viral infection has already occurred; invading bacteria, upon settling into the moist and warm environment which the middle ear already has at that point, promptly turns simple inflammations into full-blown infections which precipitate fevers.

The Different Types of Otitis Media

One isolated case of an ear infection that is acute is known as acute otitis media; if another case comes up after the first one clears up within a period of six months or four times in one year, it is known as recurrent acute otitis medis and is indicative that the Eustachian tube isn’t functioning properly.

When a build-up of fluid occurs in the middle ear sans any infection, it is known as otitis media with effusion; this means that while the fluid remains in the middle ear because of insufficient ventilation, germs have not congregated in that particular area.

Individuals Susceptible to Ear Infections

• Male babies and toddlers.
• Infants and toddlers with family histories of ear infections and ear infection-related conditions.
• Children who attend day care or infant care centers.
• Children who live in households where occupants smoke tobacco.
• Those who have existing conditions of cystic fibrosis, asthma, and other chronic respiratory conditions.
• Bottle-fed babies; babies who are breastfed are less susceptible to ear infections.
• Those who immune systems are compromised.
• Babies who constantly use pacifiers.

Factors that may Increase the Risks for Ear Infections in Children

• Congenital or birth defects: babies born with cleft palates or Down’s syndrome are likely to get more infections.
• Compromised immune systems: a child with a weakened immune system is more susceptible to succumbing to a middle ear infection.
• Age: children three years old and below have higher risks of developing ear infections because they are also more likely to catch colds, the flu, and similar upper respiratory conditions.
• Family history: the child of a family which has a sibling or parent who had repeated ear infections will most likely have repeat infections, too.
• Allergies: because allergies cause nose stuffiness on a long-term basis as a result of reactions to allergens, a blockage of either or both of the Eustachian tubes may cause a middle ear build-up of fluid; the Eustachian tubes connect the middle ears with the throat and the back of the nose.

Treatment of Ear Infection with Bactrim^®

Bactrim^® (generic name sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim) is a powerful antibiotic proven to be highly effective in the treatment of bacterial infections of the urinary tract and ears. Bactrim has also been approved for use in preventing pneumocystic carinii pneumonia in individuals with compromised immune systems, as well as treating traveler’s diarrhea, acute chronic bronchitis, and bladder infections.

Although it has been deemed safe for use by children who are at least a couple of months old, Bactrim^® should not be administered tochildren who are younger than this age; Bactrim^® is also ineffective in the treatment of illnesses caused by viral infections.