Ear infections in children can be a cause for concern for many parents. It’s important to recognize the signs of an ear infection to ensure timely medical intervention. A parent should suspect an ear infection when a child becomes ill with a fever, is irritable, and complains of pain in the ear. While ear infections themselves are not contagious, the colds that often lead to them are. Colds are spread through germs released from the nose or mouth during coughing or sneezing, and taking steps to reduce their spread is crucial.
Infection caused by Coxsackievirus is more common in summer and fall, presenting symptoms like tiny blisters in the mouth, on the fingers, palms, hands, buttocks, and soles of feet, along with common cold-like symptoms such as sore throat, runny nose, cough, and fever. It’s essential to cover mouths and noses with a disposable tissue when coughing or sneezing to prevent the spread of these germs.
Serious nasal drainage and congestion, sneezing, headache, fatigue, sore throat, and itchy nose, roof of mouth, and eyes are some symptoms similar to those experienced with allergic rhinitis. The nasal mucosa of patients with viral rhinitis is typically swollen and red due to hyperemia, or excess blood supply to the area.
Post-nasal drip is often a common cause of throat clearing. Your nose produces nasal mucus to help clear infections and allergens or in response to irritants such as cold weather. A frequently runny nose can be quite disturbing, as mucus can drip both towards the front of the nose and from the back of the nose into the throat.
After a virus enters your child’s body, it triggers a reaction — the body’s immune system begins to respond to the foreign virus. This causes an increase in mucus production (runny nose), swelling of the lining of the nose (congestion), and sneezing.
Children with the common cold usually get better on their own within a week. However, it’s important to monitor for symptoms such as a runny nose, which can be caused by allergies, especially in children over two years of age. Parents should be vigilant for signs of ear infection such as redness, sores, and drainage from the ear.
Medications can help in decreasing cough due to post-nasal drainage, sneezing, and a runny nose in cold sufferers. However, they are not effective in treating nasal congestion, sinus pressure, sore throat, headache, or malaise from infections. Sedation is a common side-effect and should be used at bedtime and avoided when engaged in activities that require alertness.
The signs and symptoms of rhinitis include runny nose, stuffy nose, itching, sneezing, itchy, red, and/or watery eyes. Allergic shiners (dark circles under eyes caused by nasal congestion) and the allergic salute (a rubbing motion done by children with the palm of their hand due to nasal itching) are also common, potentially resulting in a crease along the nose.
Understanding these symptoms and their causes can help in effectively managing and preventing ear infections and associated conditions in children. For more detailed information, visiting reputable sources such as Harvard Health, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and California Childcare Health Program can provide valuable insights.