Ear Infection - Acute

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Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors

Ear infections are common in infants and children in part because their eustachian tubes become clogged easily. For each ear, a eustachian tube runs from the middle ear to the back of the throat. Its purpose is to drain fluid and bacteria that normally occurs in the middle ear. If the eustachian tube becomes blocked, however, fluid can build up and become infected.

Anything that causes the eustachian tubes and upper airways to become inflamed or irritated, or which cause more fluids to be produced, can lead to a blocked eustachian tube. These include:

• Colds and sinus infections
• Allergies
• Tobacco smoke or other irritants
• Infected or overgrown adenoids
• Excess mucus and saliva produced during teething

Another factor that could make ear infections more likely is if a child spends a lot of time drinking while lying on his or her back, such as with a sippy cup or bottle. Contrary to popular opinion, getting water in the ears will not cause an acute ear infection, unless the eardrum has a hole from a previous episode.

Ear infections occur most frequently in the winter. An ear infection is not contagious in itself, but a cold may spread among a group of children and cause some of them to get ear infections.