{"id":12291,"date":"2021-05-11T14:48:46","date_gmt":"2021-05-11T18:48:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cliniquepraxis.ca\/otite\/"},"modified":"2025-05-29T16:20:38","modified_gmt":"2025-05-29T20:20:38","slug":"ear-infection-in-children","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cliniquepraxis.ca\/en\/ear-infection-in-children\/","title":{"rendered":"Ear infection in children"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>A common ear infection, otitis is often seen in young children between 3 months and 3 years old, especially after a cold. It is neither contagious nor usually serious. However, the main symptoms include pain, sometimes accompanied by fever, making it an infection that should be treated promptly.<\/p>\n<h2>How can it be prevented?<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Have your child vaccinated according to the recommended vaccination schedule.<\/li>\n<li>Provide a smoke-free environment.<\/li>\n<li>Breastfeed your child.<\/li>\n<li>Avoid giving a pacifier after the age of 6 months as much as possible.<\/li>\n<li>Do not let your child fall asleep with a bottle.<\/li>\n<li>When your child develops a cold, rinse their nose as often as possible with a saline solution.<\/li>\n<li>\n<article class=\"text-token-text-primary w-full\" dir=\"auto\" data-testid=\"conversation-turn-130\" data-scroll-anchor=\"true\">\n<div class=\"text-base my-auto mx-auto py-5 [--thread-content-margin:--spacing(4)] @[37rem]:[--thread-content-margin:--spacing(6)] @[72rem]:[--thread-content-margin:--spacing(16)] px-(--thread-content-margin)\">\n<div class=\"[--thread-content-max-width:32rem] @[34rem]:[--thread-content-max-width:40rem] @[64rem]:[--thread-content-max-width:48rem] mx-auto flex max-w-(--thread-content-max-width) flex-1 text-base gap-4 md:gap-5 lg:gap-6 group\/turn-messages focus-visible:outline-hidden\" tabindex=\"-1\">\n<div class=\"group\/conversation-turn relative flex w-full min-w-0 flex-col agent-turn\">\n<div class=\"relative flex-col gap-1 md:gap-3\">\n<div class=\"flex max-w-full flex-col grow\">\n<div class=\"min-h-8 text-message relative flex w-full flex-col items-end gap-2 text-start break-words whitespace-normal [.text-message+&amp;]:mt-5\" dir=\"auto\" data-message-author-role=\"assistant\" data-message-id=\"610cb4fa-2a3a-45aa-95b0-074fdbe461a1\" data-message-model-slug=\"gpt-4-1-mini\">\n<div class=\"flex w-full flex-col gap-1 empty:hidden first:pt-[3px]\">\n<div class=\"markdown prose dark:prose-invert w-full break-words light\">\n<p data-start=\"0\" data-end=\"442\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-is-only-node=\"\">Make sure they wash their hands after blowing their nose or touching their face.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>How can I treat my child\u2019s ear infection?<\/h2>\n<p>You should try to both reduce the pain and eliminate the fever. You can use acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol\u00ae, Tempra\u00ae) or ibuprofen (e.g., Advil\u00ae, Motrin\u00ae), which are available over the counter.<\/p>\n<p><strong>ATTENTION<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-4113 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/cliniquepraxis.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Otite-chez-enfant.jpg\" alt=\"Otite chez l'Enfant\" width=\"570\" height=\"280\" \/><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Do not give ibuprofen to your child if they are under 6 months old or have difficulty staying hydrated.<\/li>\n<li>Avoid cough medicines if your child is under 6 years old.<\/li>\n<li>\n<article class=\"text-token-text-primary w-full\" dir=\"auto\" data-testid=\"conversation-turn-138\" data-scroll-anchor=\"true\">\n<div class=\"text-base my-auto mx-auto py-5 [--thread-content-margin:--spacing(4)] @[37rem]:[--thread-content-margin:--spacing(6)] @[72rem]:[--thread-content-margin:--spacing(16)] px-(--thread-content-margin)\">\n<div class=\"[--thread-content-max-width:32rem] @[34rem]:[--thread-content-max-width:40rem] @[64rem]:[--thread-content-max-width:48rem] mx-auto flex max-w-(--thread-content-max-width) flex-1 text-base gap-4 md:gap-5 lg:gap-6 group\/turn-messages focus-visible:outline-hidden\" tabindex=\"-1\">\n<div class=\"group\/conversation-turn relative flex w-full min-w-0 flex-col agent-turn\">\n<div class=\"relative flex-col gap-1 md:gap-3\">\n<div class=\"flex max-w-full flex-col grow\">\n<div class=\"min-h-8 text-message relative flex w-full flex-col items-end gap-2 text-start break-words whitespace-normal [.text-message+&amp;]:mt-5\" dir=\"auto\" data-message-author-role=\"assistant\" data-message-id=\"0d28aa3d-897e-478f-b270-8aded4d4d468\" data-message-model-slug=\"gpt-4-1-mini\">\n<div class=\"flex w-full flex-col gap-1 empty:hidden first:pt-[3px]\">\n<div class=\"markdown prose dark:prose-invert w-full break-words light\">\n<p data-start=\"0\" data-end=\"289\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-is-only-node=\"\">Avoid decongestants and antihistamines (e.g., Benadryl\u00ae), as they are not considered effective for treating ear infections.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex justify-start\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>You should rinse the nose with a saline solution!<\/h3>\n<p><strong>Homemade saline solution recipe:<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Boil 4 cups (1L) of water for 3 minutes.<\/li>\n<li>Add 2 teaspoons (10 mL) of salt (Note: Table salt can be more irritating to the nose; pickling salt is milder.)<\/li>\n<li>Add 1\/2 teaspoon (2.5 mL) of baking soda (also called &#8220;bicarbonate of soda&#8221;).<\/li>\n<li>Let the solution cool down to avoid burns.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>*** The mixture can be kept for up to 24 hours at room temperature or for 7 days in the refrigerator in a sealed container.***<br \/>\nStir well before each use.<br \/>\nWarning! Avoid contamination by using different nasal irrigation containers for each family member.<\/p>\n<h2>Why antibiotics are not always effective?<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Antibiotics do not work for ear infections caused by viruses.<\/li>\n<li>Antibiotics do not relieve pain.<\/li>\n<li>Many bacterial ear infections heal on their own within 2 to 3 days.\n<div class=\"text-base my-auto mx-auto py-5 [--thread-content-margin:--spacing(4)] @[37rem]:[--thread-content-margin:--spacing(6)] @[72rem]:[--thread-content-margin:--spacing(16)] px-(--thread-content-margin)\">\n<div class=\"[--thread-content-max-width:32rem] @[34rem]:[--thread-content-max-width:40rem] @[64rem]:[--thread-content-max-width:48rem] mx-auto flex max-w-(--thread-content-max-width) flex-1 text-base gap-4 md:gap-5 lg:gap-6 group\/turn-messages focus-visible:outline-hidden\" tabindex=\"-1\">\n<div class=\"group\/conversation-turn relative flex w-full min-w-0 flex-col agent-turn\">\n<div class=\"relative flex-col gap-1 md:gap-3\">\n<div class=\"flex justify-start\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>When to consult?<\/h2>\n<p><strong>I can wait to see a doctor if:<br \/>\n<\/strong>My child meets ALL of the following CRITERIA:Il est \u00e2g\u00e9 de 6 mois et plus. ET<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>He has mild ear pain. AND<\/li>\n<li>He has a fever below 39\u00b0C (rectal) (except for children under 3 months, where you should consult a doctor if the rectal temperature is 38\u00b0C or higher). AND<\/li>\n<li>He has no ear discharge. AND<\/li>\n<li>His behavior is normal (e.g., eating well, smiling).\n<div class=\"text-base my-auto mx-auto py-5 [--thread-content-margin:--spacing(4)] @[37rem]:[--thread-content-margin:--spacing(6)] @[72rem]:[--thread-content-margin:--spacing(16)] px-(--thread-content-margin)\">\n<div class=\"[--thread-content-max-width:32rem] @[34rem]:[--thread-content-max-width:40rem] @[64rem]:[--thread-content-max-width:48rem] mx-auto flex max-w-(--thread-content-max-width) flex-1 text-base gap-4 md:gap-5 lg:gap-6 group\/turn-messages focus-visible:outline-hidden\" tabindex=\"-1\">\n<div class=\"group\/conversation-turn relative flex w-full min-w-0 flex-col agent-turn\">\n<div class=\"relative flex-col gap-1 md:gap-3\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>It is important to relieve your child&#8217;s symptoms.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Warning!<\/strong> Do not hesitate to consult a doctor if the symptoms persist or worsen within the next 48 to 72 hours (2 to 3 days). Also consult if your child has a chronic illness such as a cleft palate, a weakened immune system, a cochlear implant, or a malformation of the head or neck.<\/p>\n<p><strong>I consult a doctor if:<\/strong><br \/>\nMy child meets AT LEAST ONE of the following criteria:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>He is under 6 months old. OR<\/li>\n<li>He has a fever over 39\u00b0C (rectal). OR<\/li>\n<li>He has severe ear pain. OR<\/li>\n<li>He has difficulty hearing. OR<\/li>\n<li>He has discharge from the ear. OR<\/li>\n<li>He has more noticeable ear retraction. OR<\/li>\n<li>His behavior is unusual (e.g., refuses to eat).\n<div class=\"text-base my-auto mx-auto py-5 [--thread-content-margin:--spacing(4)] @[37rem]:[--thread-content-margin:--spacing(6)] @[72rem]:[--thread-content-margin:--spacing(16)] px-(--thread-content-margin)\">\n<div class=\"[--thread-content-max-width:32rem] @[34rem]:[--thread-content-max-width:40rem] @[64rem]:[--thread-content-max-width:48rem] mx-auto flex max-w-(--thread-content-max-width) flex-1 text-base gap-4 md:gap-5 lg:gap-6 group\/turn-messages focus-visible:outline-hidden\" tabindex=\"-1\">\n<div class=\"group\/conversation-turn relative flex w-full min-w-0 flex-col agent-turn\">\n<div class=\"relative flex-col gap-1 md:gap-3\">\n<div class=\"flex justify-start\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-3684\" src=\"https:\/\/cliniquepraxis.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/dave-turcotte-ipspl.jpg\" alt=\"Dave Turcotte IPSPL\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" \/><strong>Dave Turcotte, IPSPL<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>References<\/p>\n<p>CIUSSS de la Mauricie-et-du-Centre-du-Qu\u00e9bec<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/ciusssmcq.ca\/conseils-sante\/maladies-infectieuses\/otite-chez-l-enfant\/\">https:\/\/ciusssmcq.ca\/conseils-sante\/maladies-infectieuses\/otite-chez-l-enfant\/<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Soci\u00e9t\u00e9 canadienne de p\u00e9diatrie<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/cps.ca\/en\/documents\/position\/acute-otitis-media\">https:\/\/cps.ca\/en\/documents\/position\/acute-otitis-media<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Na\u00eetre et grandir<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/naitreetgrandir.com\/fr\/nouvelles\/2019\/01\/03\/20190103-6-choses-savoir-otite\/#:~:text=Les%20enfants%20de%20moins%20de,se%20loge%20derri%C3%A8re%20le%20tympan.\">https:\/\/naitreetgrandir.com\/fr\/nouvelles\/2019\/01\/03\/20190103-6-choses-savoir-otite\/#:~:text=Les%20enfants%20de%20moins%20de,se%20loge%20derri%C3%A8re%20le%20tympan.<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A common ear infection, otitis is often seen in young children between 3 months and 3 years old, especially after a cold. [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":9037,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_eb_attr":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[43],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-12291","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-health-advice-en"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Ear infection in children | Praxis<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/cliniquepraxis.ca\/en\/ear-infection-in-children\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Ear infection in children | Praxis\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"A common ear infection, otitis is often seen in young children between 3 months and 3 years old, especially after a cold. 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