Is your toddler showing signs of an ear infection? Schedule an appointment at an AMITA Health Medical Group location near you: https://www.amitahealth.org/medical-group/primary/family-medicine

Toddlers are especially predisposed to ear infections because their developing eardrums create a natural breeding ground for bacteria and fluid buildup, says Ryan Fitzgerald, DO, an AMITA Health Medical Group primary care doctor based in Plainfield, IL. And if they’re attending preschool, that bacteria can run rampant. That’s why it’s important for parents to recognize the signs of an ear infection in their children, particularly if they’re pre-verbal.

An untreated ear infection (or recurrent ear infections) can hinder a child’s hearing development and have lifelong consequences, including hearing loss. Proactive treatment is key to your child’s auditory health and ensuring that their developing brains are able to learn how to hear without disruption.

SYMPTOMS OF EAR INFECTION
* Pulling or tugging at the ear
* Fever or high temperature
* Changes in appetite
* Child reports that they feel like “they’re still on an airplane” or “have water in my ear”
* Dizziness
* Headache

COMMON TREATMENTS FOR EAR INFECTION
* Antibiotics (bacterial ear infections)
* Identification of social factors for the infection (at home, at daycare, etc.)
* Antihistamines
* Reintroduction of bottle use to minimize ear pain

Call 855.MyAMITA (692.6482) to schedule an appointment today.

Learn more about Dr. Fitzgerald and schedule a checkup today: https://doctors.amitahealth.org/ryan-fitzgerald-plainfield-family-medicine

Find an AMITA Health primary care doctor near you: https://www.amitahealth.org/doctor

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