When the Kid Is Ill: Otitis

Earache is a common symptom in kids. It can easily be treated by correctly prescribed antibiotics. Here are some tips to help cure and prevent otitis given by a French pediatrician Dr Martine François.
What are the symptoms of the disease?
The first sign is earache which is often followed by fever (38.5 - 39 °C). Sometimes the child moans and lacks appetite. He or she can cry at night.
Each time the disease restarts, the same symptoms appear. Thus a mom can easily determine what happens to the kid and take quick action to prevent it. So, coming to the doctor for a consultation she states that her child suffers from otitis.
At what age are children most vulnerable to otitis?
My experience shows that most often babies over 1 month and under 2 years are affected by the disease, but it also rather common in all ages. It is nit a surprise to see a 5-year-old suffering from otitis.
55 % of those fallen ill are boys.
Can the earache be prevented?

Generally otitis often follows cold. But not always. It is difficult to say if the cold is going to turn into otitis or not.
What`s more, there are certain factors fostering the disease. The majority of babies who are being brought among other babies and those who are not breast-fed (at least up to the age of three months) are at risk. One more factor is the cold. It is highly recommended to protect the ears of little ones in winter.
Does the treatment always consist of taking some antibiotics in?
France consume five times more antibiotics than other European countries. Such addiction to antibiotics causes bacterial resistance. Antibiotics do not help in some cases for instance in some respiratory infections caused by a virus.
As far as otitis is concerned the rules are the following: the antibiotic therapy remains necessary for the kids between a month and two years old.  The antibiotics to use are amoxicillines. The latest researches shows that the germs responsible for otitis have developed resistance to the last generation antibiotics and they are no more efficient. But in fact the proscriptions are not followed properly.
In case of recidivating otitis,   paracentesis remains one more way of treatment.
Are there any vaccines to prevent from otitis?
In most cases the germs responsible for otitis are Haemophilus influenzae, streptococcus and  pneumococcus. The Prévenar, a vaccine against pneumococcus, proved to be effective.
The vaccination against Haemophilus influenzae and the flu are also permitted but in a smaller amount in case of otitis.
Otitis : useful tips

• Ask your child to blow his nose if he can. It can help to get rid of the bacteria also responsible for otitis.

• Do not use ear drops. They are not only useless but can do harm to the eardrum.

• Do not expose your kid to the cigarette smoke. Passive smoking puts your kid at risk.