Causes, features, symptoms and treatment of otitis in children of different ages. Pain and inflammation of the ear - otitis in a child: treatment at home, rules for taking medications depending on the type of disease Symptoms of otitis in a child 2

Otitis is a disease characterized by the presence of an inflammatory process in any part of the ear. Most often it occurs in children. According to statistics, by the age of 5 years, almost every child encounters this problem one or even several times. The causative agents of the disease can be viruses, fungi or bacteria. The most common otitis media is of bacterial origin. The inflammatory process in the ear is accompanied by pain that is quite severe for children and requires immediate medical attention. medical care.

• outer;
• average;
• internal (labyrinthitis).

In 70% of cases in children, and in young children in almost 90%, acute otitis media, caused by infection through the auditory tube from the nasopharynx into the tympanic cavity. According to the nature of the inflammation, it can be catarrhal, serous or purulent. Catarrhal otitis media is more common than others.

According to the nature of the course, ear inflammation can be acute (no more than 3 weeks), subacute (from 3 weeks to 3 months) and chronic (more than 3 months).

By origin, otitis media can be infectious, allergic and traumatic. Depending on whether an inflammatory process has developed in one or both ears, unilateral and bilateral otitis media are distinguished.

Causes of ear inflammation in children

The main reason for the high incidence of otitis in children is the peculiarity of the structure of their auditory (Eustachian) tube. It is practically not curved, has a larger diameter and shorter length than that of an adult, so mucus from the nasopharynx can easily enter the middle ear cavity. As a result, the ventilation of the tympanic cavity is disrupted and the pressure in it changes, which provokes the development of the inflammatory process.

Otitis externa occurs as a result of infection when the skin is damaged during cleaning the ear canals or combing hair, as well as when fluid enters and stagnates in the ear after swimming or bathing.

The main causes of acute inflammation in the middle ear can be:

• inflammatory processes in the nasopharynx;
• hypothermia;
• hypertrophy of the pharyngeal tonsils and chronic adenoiditis;
• chronic pathologies of the nasopharynx (sinusitis, tonsillitis, rhinitis);
• weakening of local immunity due to various diseases (rickets, weight loss, anemia, exudative diathesis, leukemia, AIDS and others);
• frequent allergies, accompanied by swelling of the mucous membranes and runny nose;
• improper nose blowing;
• injuries with infection entering the ear cavity.

Internal otitis develops as a complication of acute or chronic inflammation of the middle ear, as a result of injury or a general infectious disease. In the latter case, the pathogen enters the inner ear through the blood or meninges (for example, with meningitis).

Symptoms of otitis media in a child

The clinical picture characteristic of otitis is determined by the localization of the inflammatory process.

Symptoms of external otitis

With external otitis in children, redness, itching, swelling of the auricle and external auditory canal are observed, accompanied by a sudden rise in temperature and painful sensations. The feeling of pain intensifies when trying to pull the ear, when opening the mouth and chewing.

External limited and diffuse (diffuse) otitis are distinguished.

Limited otitis externa occurs when the hair follicle and sebaceous gland in the outer ear canal. It manifests itself in the form of redness of the skin, the formation of a boil, in the center of which a purulent core forms, and enlargement of the lymph nodes behind the ear. When a mature abscess is opened, the pain decreases, and in its place a deep wound remains, which subsequently heals with the formation of a small scar.

With diffuse otitis externa, the inflammatory process affects the entire ear canal. It usually occurs as a result of an allergic reaction, bacterial or fungal (otomycosis) infection of the skin. Blisters often appear on the skin of the external auditory canal with this form of the disease. With a fungal infection, peeling of the skin in the ear canal is observed, accompanied by severe itching.

Video: How to treat otitis media in adults and children

Symptoms of otitis media

In acute otitis media in children, symptoms depend on the form of the disease. The following symptoms are characteristic of catarrhal inflammation:

• throbbing, stabbing or shooting pain in the ear, aggravated by pressing on the tragus, pain may radiate to the temple, throat or cheek;
• sharp increase body temperature up to 40°C;
• congestion in the ears;
• weakness, lethargy;
• moodiness, irritability;
• vomiting, loose stool (not always observed).

In the absence of promptly started therapy, acute catarrhal otitis media can become purulent within the next day. Pus forms in the exudate sweated out during catarrhal otitis, which is a favorable environment for the proliferation of pathogenic bacteria. Suppurative otitis media is characterized by severe pain (the higher the pressure in the tympanic cavity, the stronger the pain), and decreased hearing. When the eardrum ruptures, purulent fluid leaks from the external auditory canal. The pain becomes less intense.

Serous otitis media is a sluggish inflammatory process that can last from several weeks to several months. It is characterized by the accumulation of non-purulent fluid in the tympanic cavity.

The chronic form of otitis media is characterized by mild symptoms. With it, the child’s hole in the eardrum does not close for a long time, periodically pus is released from the external auditory canal, there is tinnitus and a hearing loss that gradually increases depending on the duration of the disease. There is no severe pain.

Symptoms of internal otitis

The inner ear is closely connected with the vestibular analyzer, so the inflammatory process in it affects its functions. Children with this type of disease, in addition to hearing impairment, experience tinnitus, dizziness, impaired coordination and balance, nausea and vomiting.

Features of otitis media in infants

Suspecting otitis in infants who cannot explain to their parents what exactly hurts them is challenging task. The main sign of ear inflammation is severe anxiety, strong, seemingly causeless shrill screaming and crying. They don't sleep well at night and wake up screaming. If you touch the sore ear, the crying intensifies. There is a noticeable decrease in appetite or refusal to eat. The child cannot eat normally, as the pain intensifies during sucking and swallowing. He turns his head and turns away from the bottle or breast.

The child may rub the sore ear with his hand. During sleep, he often rubs his head on the pillow. With unilateral otitis, the baby, in order to reduce pain, tries to take a forced position and lies down so that sore ear rested on the pillow.

The risk of developing the disease in children in their first year of life is increased by the fact that most of the time they are in horizontal position. This complicates the flow of mucus from the nasopharynx during a runny nose and contributes to its stagnation. Also, when feeding a baby while lying on his back or when regurgitating, breast milk or formula sometimes gets from the nasopharynx into the middle ear and causes inflammation.

Diagnostics

If you suspect otitis in children, you should contact a pediatrician or otolaryngologist. In case of purulent discharge from the ear, you should immediately call a doctor at home or put cotton wool in the child’s ear, put on a cap and go to the clinic yourself.

First, the doctor collects anamnesis and listens to complaints, and then examines the ear using an otoscope or ear mirror, assesses changes in the external auditory canal and the condition of the eardrum. The sinuses and oral cavity are also examined.

If otitis is suspected, it is prescribed general analysis blood to assess the presence of an inflammatory process in the body and the degree of its severity ( increased ESR, increase in the number of leukocytes). Audiometry may be performed to check for hearing loss.

If purulent fluid leaks from the external auditory canal, it is collected for bacteriological research and antibiotic sensitivity analysis. In particular difficult situations(for example, when damaged inner ear) additionally applies X-ray examination, CT and MRI.

Treatment

Timely treatment of otitis media in children ensures a favorable outcome. Depending on the type of disease and severity, the recovery process in the acute form may take 1–3 weeks. After completion of therapy, children experience hearing impairment for up to three months on average.

Treatment of external otitis

Treatment of external otitis is carried out on an outpatient basis. Until the purulent core of the boil matures, it consists of using anti-inflammatory drugs and alcohol compresses. After the rod is formed, the doctor opens it, then drains the resulting cavity and rinses it antiseptic solutions(chlorhexidine, miramistin, 3% hydrogen peroxide solution). After the procedure is completed, a bandage with levomekol is applied, which must be changed periodically until the wound is completely healed.

If there is a high temperature and a strong increase in the size of nearby lymph nodes, antibiotics are used.

In case of otomycosis of the external ear, the auricle and external auditory canal are cleaned of earwax, desquamated skin, pathological discharge and fungal mycelium. Then they are washed with solutions of antimycotic agents and treated antifungal ointments or creams (clotrimazole, nystatin ointment, Candida, miconazole and others). Tablets (fluconazole, ketoconazole, mycosist, amphotericin B) are prescribed internally, taking into account the admissibility of their use for children of a certain age.

Treatment of otitis media

Treatment of acute otitis media in most cases is carried out at home. Depending on the form and severity of the disease, the following may be used:

• antipyretics;
• painkillers;
• antibiotics;
• vasoconstrictor drops;
• antiseptics;
• antihistamines;
• physiotherapeutic procedures (ultraviolet irradiation, laser therapy, UHF in the nasal passages and external auditory canal);
• surgical intervention.

For children over two years of age, if the diagnosis requires clarification, the inflammation is one-sided and the symptoms are not too pronounced, a wait-and-see approach is advisable. Therapy involves the use of antipyretics based on paracetamol or ibuprofen when the temperature rises. After some time, a re-examination is carried out to confirm the diagnosis. If the child’s condition does not improve during the observation period (24–48 hours), the doctor prescribes antibiotics.

Treatment with antibiotics

Antibiotics for otitis are prescribed if the cause of the disease is a bacterial infection. Their use in injection or oral form (tablets, syrup, suspension) is necessary from the first day if:

• the disease was detected in a child under one year of age;
• the diagnosis is not in doubt;
• the inflammatory process is localized in both ears;
• severe severe symptoms are observed.

For purulent otitis media, antibiotics are usually prescribed by injection, since this method of administration significantly increases their effectiveness.

Of the antibiotics for the treatment of otitis in a child, penicillin drugs (amoxiclav, amoxicillin, ampisid, augmentin and others) and cephalosporins (ceftriaxone, cefuroxime, cefotaxime), macrolides (azitrox, sumamed, hemomycin, azimed and others) are most often used. The main criteria for choosing a drug are its ability to penetrate well into the middle ear cavity and relative safety for children.

The dosage is calculated exclusively by the doctor, taking into account the child’s weight. The therapeutic course is at least 5-7 days, which allows the drug to accumulate in sufficient quantities in the tympanic cavity and prevent the disease from becoming chronic.

Video: Doctor Komarovsky about the symptoms and treatment of otitis media

Local remedies for purulent otitis media

To treat otitis media, ear drops with anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and analgesic effects and antiseptic solutions are used.

In case of suppuration from the external auditory canal, the doctor first carefully removes the pus and rinses the ear cavity with disinfectant solutions (hydrogen peroxide, iodinol, furatsilin), after which he instills an antibiotic solution (dioxidin, sofradex, otofa).

Painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs include ear drops Otipax, Otirelax, and Otinum. They are instilled into the ear cavity directly or cotton pads are soaked with them and then inserted into the ear. Drops are instilled into the child's ear canal while lying on his back with his head turned to the side, slightly pulling the auricle up and back. After this, the child should lie down for 10 minutes without changing body position.

Many pediatricians, including E. O. Komarovsky, especially focus the attention of parents on the fact that before examining the ear cavity by a doctor and assessing the integrity of the eardrum, no ear drops should be used to treat otitis media. If, when the eardrum ruptures, they fall into the cavity of the middle ear, then damage to the auditory nerve and damage may occur. auditory ossicles which will lead to hearing loss.

Vasoconstrictor nasal drops

In case of otitis media, it is important to provide the child with free nasal breathing. To do this, you need to regularly cleanse your sinuses of accumulated mucus using cotton swabs soaked in baby oil. If there is dried mucus in the nasal cavity, then 2-3 drops of saline or special drugs(aquamaris, marimer, humer), and then after 2-3 minutes very carefully remove the softened mucus using an aspirator.

For otitis media, instillation of vasoconstrictor drops into the nose (Nasivin, Vibrocil, Galazolin, Rinazolin) is indicated, which not only improve nasal breathing, but also ensure patency of the auditory tube, reducing swelling of the mucous membrane and normalizing ventilation of the middle ear.

Surgery

Surgery for acute otitis media is rarely required. It consists of making an incision in the eardrum (myringotomy) in order to provide an outlet for the pus or exudate that has accumulated in the tympanic cavity to come out. The indication for this procedure is severe pain. It is performed under anesthesia and allows you to immediately alleviate the child’s condition. Healing of a damaged eardrum takes about 10 days. During this time, careful ear care is necessary.

Treatment of labyrinthitis

Treatment of inflammation of the inner ear is carried out in a hospital setting, since this disease is fraught with the development of quite serious complications in the form of disorders cerebral circulation, development of meningitis, sepsis.

For treatment, antibiotics, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and dehydrating agents, vitamins, as well as drugs that improve blood circulation, normalize the functions of the vestibular apparatus and hearing are used. If necessary, they resort to surgical intervention, the purpose of which is to remove fluid from the cavity of the inner ear and eliminate the purulent focus.

Complications

If started untimely or not proper treatment, and also with a rapid progression, otitis media can become chronic or lead to the development of the following complications:

• mastoiditis (inflammation of the mastoid process of the temporal bone);
• meningeal syndrome (irritation of the membranes of the brain);
• hearing loss;
• paresis facial nerve;
• damage to the vestibular apparatus.

Children with weakened immune systems are most at risk for complications.

Prevention

Prevention of otitis media in children is aimed primarily at increasing the body's defenses and preventing mucus from getting from the nasal cavity into the auditory tube. In this regard, it is recommended:

• ensure breastfeeding for as long as possible;
• take measures to harden the body;
• promptly and completely cure acute respiratory infections and inflammatory diseases of the nasopharynx;
• If you have a runny nose while breastfeeding or bottle feeding, do not place your baby horizontally;
• regularly remove mucus from the nasal cavity when you have a runny nose;
• Wear your child a hat that covers his ears in cold and windy weather.

Parents need to ensure that the child blows his nose correctly, one nostril at a time.

The always cheerful baby suddenly begins to cry piercingly for no reason... Does he want to eat, but trying to swallow his favorite porridge causes crying again? He can’t sleep, he tries to make himself more comfortable on the pillow, but he can’t? Your child may have an earache.

Seeing the suffering of a baby who is not even able to explain where and what hurts him is a serious test for parents. The worst thing is to realize your own helplessness. To similar situation If you don’t take it by surprise, it’s better to find out about the disease in as much detail as possible in advance. Moreover, timely detection of the disease will help its effective treatment and make it possible to minimize the likelihood of complications.

The vast majority of ear diseases belong to the group of inflammatory ones and have a general term - otitis(otitis; from the Greek otos - ear and the suffix -itis, used to form the names of inflammatory processes that can be spicy And chronic nature).

Inflammatory diseases of the external ear

Of these, it is more common in children otitis externa. It occurs when an infection gets into the skin of the external auditory canal (when cleaning the ears or combing the hair). In this case, the skin around the ear canal turns red, and the passage itself narrows slit-like due to swelling. Often a translucent discharge appears there.

There is also a disease of the outer ear caused by group A streptococci, - erysipelas. Infection occurs through microcracks and skin damage. The disease begins when the body temperature rises to 39.0°C and higher, chills appear, and the child refuses to eat. The auricle becomes red and swollen, and blisters often appear on the skin of the external auditory canal.

In addition, ear pain can be caused by furuncle or inflammation of the hair follicle in the external auditory canal. The prerequisites for its appearance may be microtraumas of the skin and reduced body resistance. The boil is not visible from the outside, but its presence can be assumed by indirect signs, such as pain in the ear, which intensifies when touched and chewed, and enlargement of the parotid lymph nodes. After several days, the mature abscess opens and the pain subsides. With timely treatment, complications can be avoided.

Treatment. Assessment required general condition child and determining tactics to combat the disease. With a mild course of the disease, you can limit yourself to local treatment at home - lotions, ointments, balms. In severe cases, hospitalization in a hospital and the addition of general therapy to local treatment - antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, etc. are indicated. In all cases, medications must be prescribed by a doctor; self-medication is unacceptable.

Inflammation of the middle ear

There are acute and chronic otitis media.

Acute otitis media is the undisputed “leader” in frequency of occurrence among hearing organ pathologies. This disease more often occurs against the background of acute respiratory viral infection (as a complication) in children with weakened, premature babies, as well as in babies who are on and therefore deprived of maternal antibodies (protective blood proteins) transmitted with breast milk. In the vast majority of cases, the infection enters the middle ear from the inflamed nasopharynx through the auditory tube. In young children (up to 3 years old), the auditory tube is wide and short, which greatly facilitates the path of the microbe. In addition, babies in the first year of life are predominantly in a horizontal position, which makes it difficult for mucus to flow out and contributes to its stagnation in the nasopharynx. In infants, the cause of otitis may be the entry of formula or breast milk from the nasopharynx into the middle ear.

Acute otitis media is divided into two forms: catarrhal And purulent.

Symptoms. The main manifestation of acute moderate catarrhal Otitis is pain in the ear. A young child cannot talk about it or indicate the place that hurts. He screams shrilly, rubs his head on the pillow, sometimes grinds his teeth, and cannot sleep. With a one-sided lesion, the baby tends to take a forced position, lying on the sore ear, sometimes reaches for it with his hand, refuses food, since sucking and swallowing increase the pain. You can determine the side of the lesion if you gently press on the tragus- a protrusion located in front of the ear canal. A pain reaction will occur on the affected side, the child will cry and try to turn away from the irritant. To better evaluate this test, you can do it while the baby is sleeping (although many mothers will be sorry to disturb the baby). In addition, the child’s body temperature rises, he quickly gets tired, periods of anxiety are replaced by lethargy, lethargy, and vomiting and diarrhea may occur.

In children, acute catarrhal otitis media can very quickly (already on the first day after the onset of the disease) develop into purulent. It is characterized by purulence from the ear, which indicates a rupture of the eardrum (the pain in the ear subsides) and is an indication for emergency medical care(the child needs to place a dry cotton wool (wick) in the external auditory canal, be sure to put on a cap and go to the doctor).

Complications. The danger of this disease lies in serious complications that can occur if treatment is not started in a timely manner or if the disease progresses lightning fast. The most common of these is mastoiditis - acute inflammation mastoid process of the temporal bone. Pain appears in the area behind the ear, its skin may turn red and swell, swell, while the auricle protrudes forward and downward, and the child tilts his head in the direction of the lesion.

Another condition that may be considered a complication is meningeal irritation syndrome(meningeal syndrome), which occurs due to underdevelopment of the structures of the middle ear, when nothing restrains the spread of inflammation beyond its limits, and also due to abundant vascular network and connections with the cranial cavity.

In this case, convulsions, vomiting, confusion and decreased motor activity occur. To alleviate his condition, the child reflexively throws back his head.

Treatment. At the first suspicion of an ear disease (if there is anxiety or a change in the child’s condition), it is necessary to call a pediatrician or ENT doctor to your home, consult a specialist at the clinic, medical center. With timely and correct treatment, it is possible to save the baby from suffering without any unpleasant consequences. For example, for acute otitis media, in most cases conservative (non-surgical) treatment is sufficient. Therapy necessarily includes a course of antibiotics in tablet form or by injection (for purulent otitis media) for at least 5 to 7 days, especially for children under two years of age. This is done to prevent the development of complications. In addition, you will have to regularly use drugs to narrow blood vessels (vasoconstrictor nasal drops), which maintains the patency of the auditory tube. Local treatment is also used:

1. for acute catarrhal otitis media Dry thermal procedures in the ear area are effective, since heat activates blood and lymph circulation in the area of ​​inflammation, as well as additional production of protective blood cells. For example - heating with a blue lamp (reflector), semi-alcohol (1 part alcohol and 1 part warm water) or vodka compresses, as well as turundas with ear drops (see below);
2. for acute purulent otitis media requires careful and systematic removal of pus with cotton swabs, cleaning the ear with disinfectant solutions (for example, 3% hydrogen peroxide solution), and antibiotics.

In addition to the main treatment, thermal physiotherapy may be prescribed: UVR (ultraviolet irradiation), UHF therapy (an electrotherapy method based on the effect of an ultra-high-frequency electromagnetic field on the patient’s body), laser radiation, mud therapy.

Treatment of acute catarrhal otitis media takes an average of a week, and acute purulent otitis media - more than two weeks.

It should be understood that the choice of a particular drug depends on the phase of the inflammatory process; antibiotics should be prescribed with mandatory accounting sensitivity of microbes to them. If treatment is ineffective, the drug must be changed. Self-prescription by parents of treatment based on the experience of a previous visit to a doctor can lead to undesirable consequences or mask the process, making diagnosis difficult.

Local treatment of otitis according to the rules

Compresses

So, if for the treatment of acute catarrhal otitis media the doctor prescribed semi-alcoholic or vodka compresses (if there is suppuration from the ear, compresses are contraindicated), then you need to do them as follows.

You need to take a four-layer gauze napkin, the size of which should extend beyond the auricle by 1.5-2 cm, and make a slot in the middle for the ear. The napkin should be moistened in an alcohol solution or vodka, squeezed out, and placed on the ear area (place the auricle in the slot). Apply compress (waxed) paper on top, slightly larger than gauze, and cover with a piece of cotton wool larger than the size of the paper. All this can be secured with a scarf tied to the child’s head. The compress should be kept until it has a thermal effect (3-4 hours).

Ear drops

Direct ear drops are dangerous, since at home it is impossible to examine the ear the way an ENT doctor would do, and to clarify the nature of the inflammation at the moment, to see whether the eardrum is damaged or not. If, when the eardrum ruptures, droplets enter the middle ear cavity, they can cause damage to the auditory ossicles or lead to damage to the auditory nerve, which will lead to hearing loss. Instead, you need to make a turunda out of dry cotton wool, carefully insert it into the outer ear canal and drip warm medicine onto the cotton wool 3-4 times a day. A portion of drops should be heated to body temperature (36.6 °C). You can, for example, heat a pipette in hot water and then draw the medicine into it, or first draw the medicine and then heat the pipette with it in hot water. If a bottle of drops comes with a pipette dispenser, then it is convenient to heat in hot water that part of the medicine that will fit in the pipette when turning the bottle over. The cap must be closed first.

Ear drops for children with anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects, for example OTIPAX, are useful to have at home.

It is necessary to provide the child with free nasal breathing. To do this, as necessary, you need to free the nasal passages from mucus using a special suction bulb or flagella twisted from cotton wool and soaked in baby oil. You should put a scarf or cap on your baby's head to keep his ears warm during the day. It is not recommended to bathe a child during illness, but you can dry him. Walking with the baby is allowed after the ear pain disappears and the temperature returns to normal. At the same time, when walking, the baby must wear a hat.

In some cases, with otitis - especially when complications occur - it is necessary to resort to surgical treatment in the hospital.

Transition of acute otitis media V chronic occurs under the influence of many factors. These include a decrease in general and local resistance of the body, which occurs with pathology of various organs and systems, as well as severe diabetes mellitus, frequent runny noses (proliferation of lymphoid tissue in the nasopharynx), and deviated nasal septum.

The main signs of chronic otitis media are the presence of a persistent hole in the eardrum and suppuration from the ear, which can periodically stop and resume again, causing an undulating course of the process. Chronic otitis media is certainly accompanied by hearing loss, which intensifies with prolonged existence of the disease.

Non-purulent diseases of the middle ear

Non-purulent diseases of the middle ear, more common in children, include tubootitis(another name is eustachitis) - inflammation of the mucous membrane of the auditory (Eustachian) tube, leading to its swelling and narrowing.

Tubootitis can appear during colds, when, against the background of inflammation of the mucous membrane of the nasopharynx, the mucous membrane of the auditory tube also becomes inflamed.

Symptoms. One- or two-sided permanent hearing loss, tinnitus, and a feeling of fullness appear. When yawning or blowing your nose, hearing may improve for a while.

Treatment. Therapy for tubo-otitis should be comprehensive and primarily aimed at eliminating the dysfunction of the auditory tube. It is necessary to cure the source of infection in the nasopharynx using antibiotics local action, antiseptics (disinfectants) substances, physiotherapy. Good effect gives the introduction of drugs into the ear through the auditory tube. This procedure is performed by an ENT doctor.

If the source of infection in the nasopharynx is enlarged adenoids, then tubootitis can lead to permanent hearing loss. Their timely removal helps to avoid such an unfavorable outcome.

Simple rules

As you know, preventing a disease is much easier than treating it. Following a few simple rules will help reduce the risk of otitis in a child. If we are talking about the little ones, it is advisable to provide them with breast milk for as long as possible, since it is the source of the main protective forces of the small organism.

When feeding, it is better to keep the baby closer to an upright position to prevent fluid from refluxing into the ear through the auditory tube.

Reasonable also increases the body's resistance.

If the baby does catch a cold, when treating it, adults need to remember that when lying down, congestion forms in the nasopharynx, which increases the risk of middle ear infection. Therefore, it is necessary to remove pathological contents from the nasal cavity with a bulb suction and periodically turn the baby from one side to the other.

Has your cheerful child suddenly lost interest in entertainment and become lethargic and capricious? If, in addition, he regularly complains of severe pain in the ear and head, and you don’t know why, immediately run to a therapist. Most likely, you have encountered such an unpleasant and very serious illness, like otitis media in children, the symptoms and treatment of which will be described below.

This is an inflammation of the ear, which causes severe pain in the ear and eardrum area. In addition, the baby often complains of prolonged migraines. Sinelnikov says: “Depending on the location, the disease is divided into three types: external, middle and internal. As soon as you see symptoms of this in your child viral disease, consult a doctor immediately. Otherwise, the disease can become chronic, and there is a high probability of such consequences as complete hearing loss.”

Causes of otitis media in children

There are several causes of ear inflammation in children:

• bacterial flora contributing to the development of infection;
• complications after a runny nose;
• the presence of other pathologies;
• reduced immunity;
• anemia;
• leukemia or AIDS.

Doctors note that when chronic inflammation ear, the cause of otitis media in children is not even worth explaining. The root cause has not been completely eliminated, or parents neglect preventive measures.

Symptoms of manifestation

If we are talking about the external form of the disease, then the stage-by-stage symptoms of otitis media in children may look like this:

• A boil develops in the auricle, causing pain and hearing loss.
• The lesion forms a purulent core. Until the wound begins to fester, the pain is very severe. View informative photos below.
• The receptors die off, and the pain becomes much weaker.
• The wound heals with the formation of a scar. This may feel severe itching.

Symptoms and treatment of otitis media in children need to be given twice as much attention, because the inflammatory process goes much deeper. The pain can be stabbing or cutting in nature. Sometimes they seem absolutely unbearable, radiating to the temple, cheek or back of the head. The doctor may also note general intoxication of the body. The appearance of all these signs requires immediate surgical intervention.

Parents often worry about whether the disease can be transmitted from one patient to another through close contact. It’s impossible to say for sure, because everything depends only on the type of infection. There are three forms of the disease:

• Internal (labyrinthitis) – inflammation occurs in the middle ear.
• Medium - inflammation is localized in the area between the eardrum and the middle ear itself.
• External – the outer part of the ear is affected, which is visible to the doctor without additional devices. This form of the disease is contagious.

Types of otitis media in children

An adult rarely suffers from an acute form, but baby- on the contrary, often. It is detected in 90% of cases. It can be catarrhal, purulent or serous. Moreover, the first form is more common than others. The acute phase lasts 1-2 weeks, subacute (4 weeks), and chronic - from several months. Symptoms appear very acute before the age of 2 years.

Purulent otitis media

This disease develops very quickly. Full symptoms appear within 12-24 hours. Particularly fast in two-way purulent appearance its catarrhal form passes. The main symptoms of purulent otitis in a child are pus from the hearing organs, as well as severe Blunt pain, which subsides as the purulent discharge decreases. Medical assistance should be provided immediately, even if a qualified medical professional is not nearby. It is necessary to place a piece of gauze or cotton wool in the sore ear, and then call a doctor.

Exudative otitis in children

This form of the disease is often called chronic. It can literally last for months. The name comes from the term for the fluid that accumulates in the eardrum - exudate. This type is dangerous because the accumulated substance does not flow out of the ear, freeing the ear canal, but collects in one place, impairing hearing. The exudative type may not cause pain at all.

Catarrhal otitis media

In this form of the disease, special attention should be paid to symptoms and treatment. Symptoms and treatment of catarrhal otitis in children are easier to start with initial stages. Therapy must be immediate, otherwise the disease can lead to the development purulent complications. A distinctive feature is shooting pain in the ears, which is significantly aggravated by coughing or sneezing. Catarrhal otitis media can cause fever, fever, and ear congestion.

How to determine otitis media in a small child?

Children under one year of age cannot complain to their parents about pain in any way other than crying. A newborn may also rub their ear on a pillow to relieve ear pain. If up to 3 years of age you still need to focus only on external indicators (the baby’s behavior, his mood, crying, whims), then at 4 years he can already explain where exactly he feels pain and how it manifests itself.

How to treat otitis

Each form of the disease can begin in its own way. These features must be taken into account when choosing therapy. Treatment of otitis media in children can be carried out in several ways: with the help of medications, traditional methods or by surgery. It all depends on the degree of complexity of the disease.

First aid

If you have diagnosed this disease in your baby, you should immediately call a doctor. As first aid, you can try to eliminate the symptoms: reduce the temperature, eliminate pain, but this must be done very carefully so as not to harm the baby.

Do not put him to bed, but rather sit him on your lap and press his sore ear to you. This will help reduce the pain a little.

How to relieve pain from otitis media in children?

Komarovsky advises fixing the problem following method: “If your baby constantly cries and cannot tolerate severe ear pain, you can purchase Otipax ear drops. They will help relieve pain before going to the doctor. Use the product two to three times a day, 4 drops..."

Which doctor should I contact?

If the baby light form disease, then you may well consult a pediatrician, but if you suspect surgical intervention, you should immediately go to an ENT specialist.

How does a doctor identify an infection?

For this procedure, the doctor needs an ear speculum. It allows the otolaryngologist to see the condition of the inside of the ear down to the eardrum. In addition, the doctor can use an otoscope for this purpose.

Treatment of external otitis

This form of ear disease is treated with alcohol compresses and antibacterial agents. When the abscess has already fully formed and the swelling has gone, the surgeon opens it using special instruments. After this, the wound is disinfected with peroxide and ointments. If there is intoxication of the body and an increase in temperature for three days, the condition will be the use of antibiotics.

Treatment of otitis media

To eliminate the symptoms of the disease, medications are prescribed for local treatment. Antibiotics are prescribed very rarely, because they place a heavy burden on the microflora. An exception may be severe pain that prevents the baby from sleeping and eating, as well as fever that does not go away by the third day after the start of local treatment. The moderate form is treated with ear drops, which must be used for 7 to 10 days. After completing the course, the doctor determines the need to extend therapy.

How to properly instill drops?

To avoid any problems when instilling the product, you must follow this algorithm:

• Place the patient on his side so that the ear is on top.
• Warm the drops to body temperature, making sure they are not too hot.
• Please note that the pipette also needs to be warmed up before use. This can be done by immersing it in hot water for a few seconds.

Do not instill the drug directly into the ear. Be sure to use gauze or cotton wool as a small barrier. Direct use can severely damage the eardrum, especially if the child has acute otitis media. A moment of carelessness can cause hearing loss for the rest of your life. We also recommend watching the training video.

No one prohibits home treatment, but such techniques can only be used as a supplement drug therapy. There are several methods that have been proven over the years that will help defeat the infection several times faster.

The first method is to use brilliant green for treatment. This product has both an antibacterial and warming effect. All you need is a bottle of brilliant green, as well as a Q-tip. It is necessary to moisten the stick in an alcohol solution and lubricate the area affected by otitis with it.

At first the patient will feel warm, and after a few hours itching will appear. It may wax and wane. This is a completely normal phenomenon, which indicates that the brilliant green has begun to act. For elimination acute symptoms 5-6 procedures are enough, after which the infection begins to turn into a recessive form.

The second method is also absolutely harmless for children. You will need bay leaf and water. To prepare a decoction for the treatment of otitis, you will need to boil several bay leaves in a saucepan of water for 5-10 minutes. Cool the finished broth to room temperature and instill 3-4 drops into the inflamed ear through cotton wool 4 times a day.

Compresses on the ear

Although compresses have a warming effect, which will help to quickly cope with inflammation, doctors do not recommend treating the disease using this method in case of complications and acute forms of the disease. If the patient has a high fever or discharge that has begun to fester, a hot compress can serve as a catalyst, intensifying the symptoms.

This treatment method may cause deafness or complete loss hearing It is better to replace it with dry heat. Bags of warm sand or salt are perfect.

It happens that the disease does not go away without a trace. So, pus may not leak out, which leads to the spread of infection throughout the body. Nearby organs are affected first.

If the mastoid process, next to the ear, becomes inflamed, it can lead to hearing loss, migraines, and swelling in the area behind the ears. This disease is called mastoiditis.

Labyrinthitis, a disease characterized by strong noises in the ears, nausea, loss of consciousness and problems with the heart. The cause may be the flow of pus into the cochlea.

Much less often, the infection develops into meningitis - inflammation of the soft membranes of the brain. This only happens in three percent of cases. The child needs immediate hospitalization and examination by a doctor: fever and delirium begin, the temperature often rises to 40 degrees.

Persistent otitis media - what to do?

Sometimes it happens that a baby has only been cured after one otitis, and he already gets sick again. This does not indicate any pathology. The whole reason is that the original cause of the disease has not been eliminated. Some children experience ear inflammation 6-7 times a year. Of course, they suffer a lot. To stop the disease, it is recommended to remove the adenoids.

Children have difficulty hearing after illness

Sometimes, even after the disease has subsided, the patient continues to complain of hearing problems and a feeling of stuffiness in the ears. There may be several reasons:

• During the illness, the ear canal, located in the outer ear. This often leads to a feeling of being blocked by sound.
• Accumulated in the middle ear a large number of pus, and it clogged the secretory department.
• Inflammation and suppuration of the inner part of the ear.

Prevention of infection in children

When parents struggle with symptoms for the umpteenth time, they involuntarily begin to think about how to prevent frequent recurrences of inflammation. There are a number of preventive actions that will help you forget about the problem once and for all. Experts recommend adhering to the following rules for caring for your baby:

• monitor the level of immunity of children;
• enroll your child in a sports section, dancing, teach him to exercise;
• harden yourself with him: you don’t have to douse yourself cold water, it is enough to maintain the temperature in the room within 18-21 degrees;
• Regularly ventilate your baby’s room and monitor the air humidity in it;
• Make sure he drinks enough water per day to maintain hydration;
• Help him take care of his ear and nose hygiene.

If the baby is still very small and cannot wash his ears on his own, parents should monitor this. After taking a bath, clean your ear with a small piece of cotton wool. Never use cotton swabs for this purpose, as this will only push the earwax further inside.

Young children need to constantly remove unnecessary mucus from the nose. Tampons and aspirators are suitable for these purposes. If your baby can already do this procedure on his own, teach him to gently blow his nose to clear his sinuses. Make sure he doesn't overdo his efforts.

Many parents are afraid to bathe their children during the course of the disease. But doctors unanimously insist on the need for such a procedure. The only point worth paying attention to is do not wet your head, because the risk of water getting into your ear is very high. If the inflammation is chronic, you can wash your hair.

Remember, every disease is curable if you consult a doctor in time. Sometimes home therapies and folk remedies do not give any effect, and you waste valuable time. If your child has an ear infection, a visit to the doctor should take place immediately, because we are talking not just about the baby’s health, but specifically about the ability to hear. Untimely or incorrect treatment can cause deafness and even complete hearing loss.

Otitis caused by blockage of the eustachian tube and stagnation of fluid in the middle ear. Often the cause is the penetration of microorganisms (mainly bacteria) from the pharynx into the Eustachian tube and middle ear. Otitis media occurs most often in infants and children. The reason for this is that Eustachian tube in small children it lies in a horizontal plane between the middle ear and the nasopharynx. As a result, microorganisms from the pharynx easily penetrate into the middle ear. In older children, the position of the Eustachian tubes shifts to the vertical, which makes it difficult for microorganisms to penetrate into the middle ear.

Large mucus production in children with allergies increases the risk of otitis media, since swollen adenoids (one of the pairs of tonsils located behind the nose) often block the Eustachian tubes. Children at risk for upper respiratory tract infections, such as those who live with people who smoke, are more likely to develop ear infections.

High pressure in the middle ear can cause the eardrum to rupture. The rupture leads to subsequent scarring, and if the ruptures and scarring are repeated, chronic hearing loss can occur.

Causes of otitis media in children

Otitis can rightfully be called one of the most common and most unpleasant diseases for a child in childhood. They occur in children of all ages. But if a child older than one and a half to two years can already explain to his parents that his ear hurts, then a six-month-old baby will not tell you anything.

And otitis media in childhood is very dangerous. What should parents do, how to suspect a child has an illness, what is the right thing to do - what should be done and what should not be done under any circumstances.

It is quite difficult to suspect otitis media in a child; it usually first manifests itself as a common cold: snot, high fever, and the child may cough.

There is still an opinion among parents that the infection enters the ear from the outside, through the external auditory canal. Also groundless are such precautions as constantly wearing a hat (and at home, when there are 2 heaters in the room and batteries at full power - the child is red as a lobster, sweating like a stream - but in a hat) or, for example, plugging the ears with cotton wool or tying them with a scarf. “Getting infected with otitis media” from a neighbor’s boy is also unrealistic, so there is no point in isolating other children from the sick one.

Acute otitis is characterized by sudden and sharp pain in the ears, irritability, hearing loss, restless sleep. Pus-like discharge from the ear is also common.

What types of otitis occur in children?

There are external and medial otitis, the latter can be catarrhal and purulent.
Inflammation of the outer ear. It occurs if an infection gets into the skin of the external auditory canal (when cleaning the ears or if a child picks at the ear with a foreign object). In this case, the skin around the ear canal itself turns red, and the passage narrows slit-like due to swelling. Often a translucent discharge appears there.

Therefore, children’s ears need to be cleaned carefully. After bathing, roll up a roll of cotton wool (rather than grab a cotton swab) and soak it boiled water, turn the baby's head to the side and wipe the outer ear, wiping all the folds of the auricle. Use a separate cotton swab for each ear. Do not penetrate beyond the vestibule of the ear canal, as you may push the wax into the tympanic septum and cause a plug!

Inflammation of the middle ear (acute otitis media)- Almost every child in one form or another has suffered from otitis media at least once. This is due to a number of anatomical and physiological characteristics of the baby’s body. In most cases, otitis occurs as a complication of acute respiratory disease(ARD) - when parents begin to self-medicate, sometimes using unnecessary or contraindicated drugs. Please note - most common reason the development of otitis media is a banal, improperly treated runny nose. The child’s weak immunity, tendency to allergic reactions, the presence of adenoids in the nasopharynx, inability to blow his nose, etc. lead to the fact that infected mucus from the nasal cavity and nasopharynx penetrates through the auditory tube into the middle ear.

It must be taken into account that children prone to allergies have allergic otitis media. Following improper feeding, the child develops skin rashes, the tympanic cavity opens and fluid leaks from the ear. Allergic otitis media may not be accompanied by fever.

The most difficult in terms of diagnosis and treatment are otitis media in the smallest children.

Acute otitis media in newborns, infants and children from 1 year to three years has its own characteristics of course, diagnosis and treatment. Acute otitis media in children very often develops if the baby is cold (especially the legs), if his mother wrapped him up and he overheated, due to improper feeding, after viral diseases and childhood infectious diseases; In addition, the anatomical and physiological features of the structure of the middle ear in children, as well as a decrease in the child’s immune defense, play a role in the occurrence of acute otitis media. What are the main reasons that newborns and infants suffer from acute otitis media especially often? Several main groups of reasons can be distinguished.

Anatomical features of the ear in children that contribute to the development of otitis media:

In babies (especially up to one year old), the auditory tube, also known as the Eustachian tube, is shorter, wider and located more horizontally than in adults. In the middle ear of newborns and infants, instead of a smooth, thin mucous membrane and air, there is a special (myxoid) tissue - loose, gelatinous connective tissue with a small amount blood vessels, which is a favorable environment for the development of microorganisms. In newborns, in addition, amniotic fluid may remain in the tympanic cavity for some time.

The eardrum in children is thicker than in adults. The child has weaker body resistance (lack of acquired immunity).

Infants are almost constantly in a horizontal position, i.e. lie down, so when regurgitated, milk enters the tympanic cavity through the auditory tube. In infants, the cause of otitis may be the entry of formula or breast milk from the nasopharynx into the middle ear.

Otitis often occurs against the background of acute respiratory viral infections in children with weakened immune systems, premature babies, as well as in babies who are bottle-fed. In the vast majority of cases, the infection enters the middle ear from the inflamed nasopharynx through the auditory tube. There are also other factors. Drafts, a cap that comes untied while walking, and active nose blowing also often become causes of otitis media. As experts note, difficult nasal breathing causes pain in the baby. Since the ear and nose are interconnected, problems in one organ immediately affect the other. With a prolonged runny nose, the Eustachian tube can become clogged with nasal discharge - in this case, treatment for otitis media will not work. Therefore, you need to clean and instill the little nose with medicines recommended by the attending physician.

Children are more susceptible to common infectious diseases such as measles, scarlet fever, diphtheria, which can be complicated by acute otitis media. In this case, the infection spreads through the lymph and blood. This path in medicine is called hematogenous. The influenza virus can provoke an inflammatory process in the baby’s ear. It leads to the formation of herpetic-type bubbles in the ear canal on the eardrum and causes pain.

Sometimes the disease occurs through contact. This is possible if the child's eardrum is damaged (for example, due to foreign body, being hit by a ball, carelessly cleaning ears with a sharp object). As a result, the infection penetrates into the middle ear, which leads to otitis media. No matter how the inflammatory process in the ear occurs, it undoubtedly requires immediate treatment.

Hypertrophy of the pharyngeal tonsil (adenoids), often present in children, acute tonsillitis and adenoiditis contribute to the occurrence and protracted course of acute otitis.

There are a number of risk factors that contribute to the occurrence of otitis media. These are gender characteristics (boys get this disease more often), white race (it turns out that children of the Negroid race are less likely to have otitis media), artificial feeding (caries sometimes becomes a companion in infants), cases of middle ear disease in the family, the winter season, Down's disease and even passive smoking.

Symptoms and course of otitis media in children

Otitis usually begins acutely, suddenly. The temperature sometimes rises to 39-40 degrees. In newborns they predominate general reactions body: the child is worried, cries a lot, sleeps poorly and sucks poorly. The inflammatory process in their middle ear, as a rule, is bilateral, non-perforative (there is no rupture of the eardrum and no suppuration, since the membrane in children is thicker than in adults).

Otitis caused by infection usually develops following damage to the nasal cavity, that is, a runny nose and respiratory symptoms from the upper and lower respiratory tract. The mother may note that after ARVI, the child’s temperature sharply increased again, he became more restless, and refuses to eat. The baby develops a pendulum-like movement of the head, and some children even try to look at the sore ear with their eyes. The first signs of otitis can most often be recognized at the moment breastfeeding. When a baby attaches to the breast, negative pressure is created in the nasopharynx, and this increases pain. As a result, the baby's attempt to eat becomes very painful, and the baby bursts into loud crying. He kicks his legs, screams, and his mother gets the feeling that this intestinal colic. If the baby lies down on his sore ear, he suddenly begins to suck better. In this position, with the sore ear pressed, it’s easier for him, it doesn’t hurt so much. And when turned the other way, the baby will still refuse the breast with a cry.

From the age of four months, the child tries to reach his sore ear with his hand, or rubs it on the pillow, sometimes grinds his teeth, and cannot sleep. With a one-sided lesion, the baby tends to take a forced position, lying on the sore ear, sometimes reaches for it with his hand, refuses food, since sucking and swallowing increase the pain.

For severe otitis in children infancy phenomena of meningism may occur: vomiting, throwing back the head, tension in the arms and legs, protrusion of the fontanelles. Sometimes gastrointestinal disorders in the form of vomiting and diarrhea may occur.

In children, acute catarrhal otitis media can very quickly (already in the first day after the onset of the disease) turn into purulent. The rapid development of the disease leads to the formation of pus in the middle ear cavity, which ruptures the eardrum and begins to flow from the ear canal. The catarrhal form of otitis is replaced by a purulent one. Sometimes, especially in infants, this happens very quickly. With the appearance of suppuration, pain in the ear, as a rule, decreases or stops completely, the temperature decreases, and the child’s well-being improves.

This condition is an indication for emergency medical care.

How can a mother recognize the signs of otitis media? When the child is sleeping, you can gently press the tragus - the parts of the ear lobe protruding above the earlobe. If a child winces and moves his head away, this may be considered one of the symptoms of middle ear disease.

Any otitis occurs either in catarrhal or in purulent form(when the eardrum is opened). The mother can determine whether purulent discharge has appeared from the ear herself by cleaning her ears every day. In addition, oddly enough, when the eardrum is perforated (ruptured), a visible improvement in the child’s condition occurs. The membrane is torn, which means that the pressure decreases, immediately after this the temperature drops, and the baby’s appetite returns. All symptoms disappear except one - purulent or bloody discharge.

Complications of otitis media

Otitis media is dangerous due to its complications. The fact is that recognizing otitis media is sometimes not entirely simple. For example, it is not always accompanied by severe pain in the ear. Symptoms of the disease often include disturbances in the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. This is due to the fact that the middle ear and abdomen innervated by one nerve. Therefore, when the ear gets sick, intestinal symptoms may predominate in young children: bloating, regurgitation, vomiting, stool retention. That is, external manifestations may resemble, say, appendicitis or colic. Often infants with similar symptoms end up not in the ENT department of the hospital, but in the surgical department. But surgeons are literate people, so they begin examining such children with an invitation from an ENT doctor. Only after excluding the diagnosis of “acute otitis” do they engage in further diagnostics.

If a mother undertakes self-treatment of a gastrointestinal disorder, ignoring other symptoms, then otitis media can develop into such a formidable complication as otoanthritis. The infection from the middle ear spreads to the area behind the ear and affects another air cavity of the middle ear. Protrusion of the auricle, redness, swelling appears, and an increase in temperature is noted again. The timing in which this process can develop is unpredictable - it occurs both immediately after acute otitis media and a month later. If the mother does not notice these symptoms, then the child will most likely be admitted to the hospital in 2-3 months, but with meningitis: the structure of the child’s ear is such that an infection from the tympanic cavity can directly come into contact with the meninges. So parents should be more vigilant and monitor the course of any, even the mildest viral disease.

Other complications of acute otitis include facial nerve paresis, chronic otitis media, hearing loss, damage to the vestibular apparatus and meningitis. Fortunately, they are quite rare in children.
Meningeal syndrome - irritation of the membranes of the brain, occurs due to underdevelopment of the structures of the middle ear, when nothing restrains the spread of inflammation beyond its boundaries, as well as due to the abundant vascular network and connection with the cranial cavity. In this case, convulsions, vomiting, confusion and decreased motor activity occur. To alleviate his condition, the child reflexively throws back his head.

Diagnosis of otitis

In children under 2-3 years of age, and especially in newborns, it is quite difficult to make a correct diagnosis, so if such symptoms occur, it is necessary to show the child to an ENT doctor.

The diagnosis of otitis media is established ONLY after examining the ear by a doctor.

Indirect indications of otitis may be that the disease begins, as a rule, acutely, often at night, after the child has been put to bed. The main symptom is ear pain, which can be very severe. Usually, the temperature rises at the same time and general health worsens. In infants, the disease manifests itself as severe anxiety and crying. The child reaches out with his hand to his sore ear and refuses the pacifier. Sleep and appetite are disturbed, and loose stools often appear.

Treatment of otitis media

Otitis media cannot be cured in a few days (sometimes therapy is extended for 1-2 weeks). However, it is not only possible, but also necessary, to relieve pain from the disease.

It is necessary to provide the child with free nasal breathing. To do this, as necessary, it is necessary to free the nasal passages from mucus using a special suction bulb or flagella twisted from cotton wool and soaked in baby oil. You should put a scarf or cap on your baby's head to keep his ears warm during the day. It is not recommended to bathe a child during illness, but you can dry him. Walking with the baby is allowed after the ear pain disappears and the temperature returns to normal. At the same time, when walking, the baby must wear a hat.

In some cases, with otitis media - especially when complications occur - it is necessary to resort to surgical treatment in a hospital.

Drug treatment of otitis.

Therapy includes a course of antibiotics in tablet form or by injection (for purulent otitis media) for at least 5-7 days, especially for children under 2 years of age. This is done to prevent the development of complications. In addition, it is necessary to regularly use drugs to narrow blood vessels (vasoconstrictor drops in the nose), which maintains the patency of the auditory tube and - local treatment:

a) for acute catarrhal otitis media, dry thermal procedures in the ear area are effective, since heat activates blood and lymph circulation in the area of ​​inflammation, as well as additional production of protective blood cells. For example - warming with a blue lamp (reflector), semi-alcohol (1 part alcohol and 2 parts warm water) or vodka compresses, as well as dry heat, warming compresses, turundas with ear drops.
b) in case of acute purulent otitis media, careful and systematic removal of pus with cotton swabs, cleaning the ear with disinfectant solutions (for example, 3% hydrogen peroxide solution), and antibiotics are required.
In addition to the main treatment, thermal physiotherapy may be prescribed: ultraviolet irradiation (UVR), UHF therapy, laser radiation, mud therapy.

Treatment of acute catarrhal otitis media takes an average of a week, and acute purulent otitis media – more than 2 weeks.

Treatment in children under one year of age and in cases of moderate to severe and severe course carried out in a children's ENT hospital. There the child is actively monitored.

If necessary, a myringotomy is performed - an incision of the eardrum. Myringotomy is performed by a doctor using special instruments using a microscope and under general anesthesia. The purpose of this procedure is to ensure the free outflow of pus (or fluid) from the middle ear cavity, because It is rare for the eardrum to rupture on its own. Immediately after this procedure, the child’s condition improves, the temperature drops, and infants are more willing to breastfeed.

In children under two years of age, antibiotics must be used - Amoxiclav, Cefuroxime, Ceftriaxone for 5 days. The dose of antibiotic is calculated individually, taking into account the child’s weight. All antibiotics are prescribed parenterally, i.e. intramuscularly, in severe cases and in the presence of complications - intravenously. In children over two years of age, antibiotics are used when the child’s condition is severe, there is severe pain in the ear and the body temperature is above 38 degrees.

Vasoconstrictor nasal drops are not prescribed for newborns and infants (children under 1 year of age). Before meals and before bed, suck out the mucus from the nose with a rubber bulb with a soft tip (preferably 90 ml). If necessary, thin the mucus by instilling 2-3 drops into each nostril. saline solution(aquamaris, salin, aqualor and others), and then after 2 minutes they are sucked off with a rubber bulb.

In children from 1 to 3 years of age, treatment is the same as in infants, but careful nose blowing is allowed. It is possible to use vasoconstrictor drops in the nose only before feeding and before bedtime; special children's drops are used - Nazivin 0.01% 1-2 drops of the drug solution are dripped into each nasal passage 2-3 times a day.

Ear drops are also not prescribed for up to a year (although many instructions state that, for example, Otipax is allowed from the neonatal period), but it is better to ask your doctor. In addition, some components included in the drops (chloramphenicol, boric acid) can cause side effects - nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, convulsions, shock - therefore they are prohibited in pediatrics.
To reduce the temperature, drugs based on paracetamol are used: Children's Panadol, Calpol, Panadol Baby and Infant, Efferalgan and others. The use of Analgin and Aspirin in children is not allowed.

Local treatment according to the rules and treatment with folk remedies

Compresses.

So, if for the treatment of acute catarrhal otitis media the doctor prescribed semi-alcohol or vodka compresses (for suppuration from the ear these procedures are contraindicated), then they should be done as follows.

You need to take a four-layer gauze napkin, the size of which should extend beyond the auricle by 1.5-2 cm, and make a slot in the middle for the ear. The napkin should be moistened in an alcohol solution or vodka, squeezed out, and placed on the ear area (place the auricle in the slot). Apply compress (waxed) paper on top, slightly larger than gauze, and cover with a piece of cotton wool larger than the size of the paper. All this can be secured with a scarf tied to the child’s head. The compress should be kept until it has a thermal effect (3-4 hours).

Ear drops.

Direct instillation of ear drops is dangerous, since at home it is impossible to examine the ear in the same way as an ENT doctor and clarify the nature of the inflammation at the moment - whether the eardrum is damaged or not. If, when the eardrum ruptures, droplets enter the middle ear cavity, they can cause damage to the auditory ossicles or lead to damage to the auditory nerve, which will lead to hearing loss.

Instead, you need to make a turunda out of dry cotton wool, carefully insert it into the external auditory canal and drip warm medicine onto it 3-4 times a day. A portion of drops should be heated to body temperature (36.6 degrees C). You can, for example, heat a pipette in warm water, and then draw the medicine into it, or first draw the medicine, and then heat the pipette with it in warm water. Ear drops for children with anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects, such as OTIPAX, are useful to have in your home medicine cabinet. For older children, you can use a popular folk remedy - cotton wool in the ear, slightly moistened with warm vodka or onion juice. This ensures improved blood circulation and increased temperature in the area of ​​inflammation. In case of a purulent process, such procedures are contraindicated.

Application boric alcohol It is undesirable when treating inflammation of the middle ear in children. This substance irritates the delicate skin of the baby's ear canal, which not only increases the pain, but also leads to peeling of the skin inside the ear. And plugs are formed from exfoliated skin cells. There is evidence that boric alcohol can cause convulsions in children in the first year of life.

IN vertical position the blood flows away from the area of ​​inflammation, the pain subsides, the baby calms down, so take the baby in your arms more often.

Prevention

Prevention of otitis is the prevention and proper treatment of acute respiratory viral infections, especially those accompanied by a severe runny nose.

The child needs to be provided with breast milk for as long as possible, since it is the source of the main protective forces of the small organism. When feeding, it is better to keep the baby closer to an upright position to prevent fluid from refluxing into the ear through the auditory tube. Reasonable hardening also increases the body's resistance.

When you have a cold, lying down causes congestion to form in the nasopharynx, increasing the risk of middle ear infection. Therefore, it is necessary to remove pathological contents from the nasal cavity with a bulb suction and periodically turn the baby from one side to the other.

Otitis media is caused by bacteria that settle in the middle ear and cause inflammation. And, please note, it can cause meningitis, especially in children of the first year of life. Therefore, compulsory vaccination against Haemophilus influenzae has been introduced into the vaccination calendar all over the world (and we, as always, lag behind in Russia), and vaccination against pneumococcus is introduced from the age of two. These vaccinations will help protect children from meningitis, especially of ear origin.

Now a row typical mistakes or what not to do for otitis media.

At high temperatures, you should not apply a warm compress to the ear. This can seriously worsen the child's condition. If pus begins to flow from your ear, do not try to deep clean with an ear swab. At best, this will do nothing, at worst, the eardrum will be injured. Do not give an antibiotic or other medicines without talking to your doctor.

It often happens that middle ear diseases are provoked by parents themselves. For example, a child has a severe runny nose, and the mother incorrectly blows off nasal secretions. She pinches both nostrils and forces the child to blow his nose violently. This should never be done - your ears instantly become clogged. You cannot blow your nose into both nostrils at once - only one at a time. Why do otitis occur so often in young children and very rarely in adults? Because the middle ear is connected to the nasal cavity by an airway - the auditory tube. In children it is very wide, short and open. And if a child blows his nose into pinched nostrils, then all the pus from the nose is immediately thrown into the middle ear.

Often the cause of otitis media is improper feeding. The mother fed the child and immediately puts him in the crib on his side, that is, on some ear. And during feeding, children swallow a lot of air, which must be removed later, holding the baby in an upright position. If regurgitation occurs while the baby is lying horizontally, then the milk is immediately thrown into the auditory tube.

Another common mistake is improper suction of mucus from the nasal cavity using a bulb. This must be done very gently, slowly. If the mother abruptly releases the pear, then negative pressure arises in the nasal cavity, hemorrhage occurs in the tympanic cavity and peeling of the mucous membrane occurs.

Ear pain is one of the most severe pain that a person experiences in his life. Therefore, in the first 2-3 days of otitis media, be sure to give your baby painkillers and antipyretics. If the pain persists for more than two days, this is an indication for a doctor to open the eardrum.

When a small child is sick with otitis media, feeding him becomes a serious problem. To ensure that your baby can latch onto the breast, 15 minutes before feeding, place vasoconstrictor drops in his nose and anesthetic drops in his ear. Or try feeding him with a spoon.

Remember that under no circumstances should you heat sore ears before consulting a doctor. If a purulent process has begun in the ear, then warming compresses will only intensify it, and it’s not far from dangerous complications. If there is no pus, then heating will have a beneficial effect on the ears.

What should you consider if your child has had otitis media?

Remember that after your baby has had otitis media, he or she may experience temporary hearing loss. Therefore, do not scold the child if it seems to you that your request did not receive the child’s attention. Make sure the baby even heard what you told him? If you are sure that hearing acuity has decreased, tell the doctor about this; when communicating with your child at home, speak louder.

If your child is involved in swimming, then after suffering from otitis media, he should stop this activity for some time, since during the recovery period it is impossible for water to get into the external auditory canal, especially if there has been a violation of the integrity of the eardrum. And of course, if your “swimmer” gets ear infections too often, consider changing the sport.

Don't forget about warm clothes and a hat for your baby in winter or in cold, windy weather. At this time, wool or fur “earmuffs” will come in handy as they cover your ears well.
One more word of caution. Scientists have proven that passive smoking contributes to the sluggish course of acute otitis media or even its transition to a chronic form. Weigh all this up if there are smokers in the family.

Latest trends in the treatment of otitis media in children:

Many childhood ear infections can resolve successfully without additional antibiotic treatment, reducing unnecessary antibiotic use.

It is known that one of the most common reasons why pediatricians prescribe antibiotics to young children is ear infections (for example, acute otitis media). But in Lately More and more people are avoiding unnecessary use of antibiotics due to side effects such treatment. There is ample evidence of children with ear infections successfully recovering without additional treatment, and based on this evidence, the practice of “watchful waiting” was developed.

The point of this approach is to carefully monitor the development of otitis without pharmaceutical treatment, if it occurs fairly easily. For example, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Family Physicians have recommended the use of "watchful waiting" in cases of moderate ear pain without a large increase in temperature and without complications for children over 2 years old. This prescription is of particular importance in a situation where the doctor is confident that the child’s condition will worsen with intensive antibiotic treatment.

Otitis externa

Causes of external otitis. Otitis externa usually occurs as a result of infection (most often staphylococcus) in the hair follicles and sebaceous glands of the external auditory canal as a result of microtrauma. Inflammation of the outer ear can develop against the background of colds, hypothermia, or irritation of the ears due to the accumulation of wax.

Otitis externa can occur in a limited area of ​​the outer ear (furunculosis of the external auditory canal), or be diffuse (spread), when the entire external auditory canal is involved up to the eardrum.

Symptoms of external otitis. With furunculosis, sharp pain in the ear is observed, aggravated by chewing, opening the mouth, swelling of the tissues surrounding the ear, and the formation of a cone-shaped elevation with a suppurating apex. When the boil matures and the pus breaks out, significant relief is felt. With diffuse otitis media, severe itching and pain are felt in the ear canal, and hearing is reduced, although not very significantly. Pus accumulates in the ear and small crusts form. If the causative agent of otitis is yeast, when examining the ear, you may see a coating similar to wet blotting paper.

Treatment of external otitis. With boils, most often you can do without surgical intervention - the boil will mature and open on its own. Appointed antimicrobials. To improve the general condition of elevated temperature the body is prescribed antipyretics. For diffuse external otitis, rinsing with disinfectant solutions is useful. If otitis is caused by fungi, it is necessary antifungal therapy(ointments and oral preparations).

Young children often get sick because the immune system is not yet fully formed and cannot resist all infections and viruses that it encounters. Otitis in a child is a common disease that almost all parents encounter. Lack of therapy for otitis media is fraught with the development of complications and the transition of the pathology to the chronic stage. In children, otitis media occurs in a more severe form, unlike in adults, so treatment for the pathology begins immediately after the first symptoms appear.

Young children often suffer from otitis media. There are many reasons for its occurrence. But whatever the cause of the pathology, it must be promptly treated without delay.

Factors in the development of otitis media in children are often:

• Prolonged exposure to drafts.
• Infections in the middle ear.
• Diseases of the upper respiratory tract (pharyngitis, tonsillitis, rhinitis, sinusitis).
• Acute viral pathologies.
• Improper nose blowing due to nasal congestion.
• Mastoiditis.
• Allergic reactions that contribute to the development of swelling of the mucous membrane.
• Incorrect structure of the nasal septum.
• Decreased immune defense.

In most cases, otitis media develops against the background of other diseases and acts as a complication in the absence of treatment or its ineffectiveness.

As is known, in children weak immunity, so there can be many factors for the development of otitis media.

Types of otitis in a child

There are different types of otitis media in children. They are divided into acute and chronic forms. Otitis rarely occurs in a mild form. The disease affects how right ear, and the left. Sometimes bilateral otitis media also occurs. There are also allergic and infectious forms.

Otitis externa

The development of external otitis is associated with the action external factors. For example, the occurrence of otitis externa is associated with insect bites, scratching, and ear injuries. As a result of the appearance of wounds, the infection penetrates the sebaceous glands or hair follicles, affecting the external auditory canal.

When examining the patient, redness of the skin in the area is noted. ears, painful sensations, purulent discharge with an unpleasant odor.

Otitis media

Chronic occurs in several stages, each of which is characterized by different symptoms. Initially, pain appears in the area hearing aid, body temperature rises to high values. The pain intensifies as evening approaches, making it difficult to sleep at night. In the second stage, pus appears. This is due to the fact that the eardrum ruptures. At the third stage, the pain subsides, practically no pus is released from the ear, and the eardrum becomes covered with scars. The child's hearing is gradually deteriorating.

Internal otitis

Internal inflammation of the hearing aid is characterized by constant dizziness. Nausea appears, in some cases the pathology is accompanied by vomiting. Tinnitus appears and decreases auditory function. develops against the background of otitis media or is a consequence of complications of other diseases.

Symptoms of otitis media in a child

One of the most characteristic features diseases in children - sore ears. The pain is so severe that it is impossible to endure it without painkillers. Only a doctor can determine the stage and form of the pathology.

At the first signs of deterioration in your baby’s health, you should urgently contact the clinic for help.

1 year

Understand what you have one year old child Otitis has begun, it will work out if you pay attention to a number of signs. First of all, the baby develops insomnia. Irritability appears. At night the baby constantly cries. During the daytime he often screams and is capricious. Appetite disappears. The baby often turns his head. Body temperature rises to 39 degrees.

2 years

U small child At the age of 2 years, otitis media manifests itself with the following symptoms:

• Temperature increase.
• Refusal to eat because jaw movements cause discomfort to the child.
• Constant crying that gets worse at night.

Young children cannot explain to their parents what exactly is hurting them, but from the child’s behavior it becomes clear that it is time to take him to the doctor.

3 years

It is easier to recognize otitis in children aged 3 years. Many children begin to speak by this point and may try to say that their ear hurts. Signs of otitis media in a child include deterioration of appetite, bad dream, fever, redness of the skin in the ear area. If your child starts crying constantly, you need to contact your pediatrician.

4 years

Symptoms of otitis media in children aged 4 years:

• The skin peels off and takes on a red tint.
• Painful sensations appear in the area of ​​the hearing aid.
• Lost appetite.
• Body temperature rises.
• In some cases, nasal congestion is noted.

The pathology, in addition, is accompanied by vomiting, diarrhea and purulent discharge from the ears.

5 years

Signs of otitis media in children over 5 years of age include poor sleep, loss of appetite and weakness. The child is not as active as before. Congestion of the hearing aid, vomiting, nausea, and pain in the ear area appear. Ear pain often radiates to the head, throat and temples. Body temperature often rises to 40 degrees.

6 years

At 6 years old, the signs of otitis appear the same as at 5 years old. The child cries a lot and becomes capricious. The pain in the ear area does not subside even in sleep. Because of this, the baby practically does not sleep. Body temperature rises to 39 degrees.

The cause of frequent otitis in a child

The cause of persistent otitis in children in most cases is associated with the anatomical structure of the ears. For this reason viral infections have open access to penetrate the hearing aid.

The eardrum in children is much denser than in adults, so the inflammatory process during otitis media lasts longer and the pain is more intense.

In addition, in children the mucous membrane has a loose structure. Or amniotic fluid often remains in the nasopharynx after birth.

Diagnosis of otitis in a child

Only a doctor can check whether the baby has otitis media after examining the child. If health worsens, first of all they turn to the pediatrician, and then he refers the child, if necessary, to a pediatric otolaryngologist.

The following procedures are prescribed:

• Audiometry.
• CT scan of the temporal bones.

During an otoscopy, the doctor examines the eardrum and its condition. Often taken biological material for bacteriological research. If complications of neighboring organs are suspected, usually the brain, the child is referred to a neurologist.

First aid for otitis media

When otitis media begins, and there is no way to see a doctor in the near future, you urgently need to provide first aid yourself. The first step is to relieve the pain, which especially torments the child at night. It is recommended to provide first aid quickly.

You can cure otitis media by placing turundas soaked in boric alcohol in your ears and leaving them for up to 5 hours. Otipax drops are instilled into the ears. They relieve pain and inflammation of the hearing aid. At high temperatures, take Paracetamol or Nurofen. To relieve nasal congestion, Tizin, Xylene or any other vasoconstrictor drops are instilled into each nostril. During the inflammatory process, you should limit the consumption of hot drinks.

Treatment of otitis media in children

Only a qualified doctor can help cure otitis media in a child without further complications. Self-medication of the disease in a child is fraught with the development of complications and hearing loss.

After examining and studying the tests, the doctor will prescribe therapy. Treatment is usually prescribed at home.

Only children under 1 year of age require hospitalization. And also patients in whom the inflammatory process occurs with complications.

Medicines and tablets are prescribed depending on the form of the inflammatory process.

In most cases, doctors prescribe drugs from the following groups:

• Antipyretic.
• Vasoconstrictor drops to relieve nasal congestion.
• Antihistamines.
• Painkillers.
• Antibiotics.
• Antiseptics for washing out pathogenic microorganisms from the ears.
• Physiotherapeutic procedures.

Antibiotics are taken if the inflammatory process is caused by bacterial infection. For children under 1 year of age, antibiotics are prescribed in the form of syrups, tablets or suspensions. Their use is due to the development of complications, an inflammatory process that affects both ears, or if the disease is severe.

In some cases, if the complications are too severe, surgery may be required.

At home

It is not advisable to treat otitis media yourself. Before use, first consult a doctor. Therapy with folk remedies can be very dangerous.

Traditional methods of therapy for otitis media:

• Peel the onion and grate it. Squeeze out the juice, soak a cotton swab in it and place it in your ear. Keep it like this for several hours.
• Several bay leaves are poured into 300 ml of water and put on fire. Bring to a boil and turn off. Cool until the broth becomes warm. Take into a pipette and drop 8-10 drops into the sore ear. Every day, no more than 3 drops are instilled into the ear.
• Pour 400 ml of water over chamomile inflorescences and put on fire. Boil. Cover the broth with a lid and let it brew for a couple of hours. When it is warm, rinse the affected ear.
• Pour water over the calendula flowers, put on the fire and bring to a boil. Cool to a comfortable temperature. Rinse the inflamed ear with the resulting decoction 2-3 times a day.
• Grind the sorrel roots. Pour boiling water over the rhizome. Cook over low heat. When approximately 250 ml of liquid remains, the decoction is ready. It is used to wash the inflamed ear, as well as for compresses.

Before using any method alternative medicine you need to make sure that there is no allergic reaction to the components of the recipes. Before starting the procedure, you need to lubricate the child’s hand with a decoction. If no rash or redness appears, you can begin the procedure.

Putting drops in the ear

For otitis media, it is important to follow the rules of instillation. Especially if the procedure is carried out small child.

Instillation of drops:

• Place the child on his side so that the affected ear is on top.
• Pull your earlobe down and back and drip drops.
• Before instilling the drops, you need to hold them in your hands so that they become warm;
• The pipette also needs to be warmed up.
• Dripping drops directly is dangerous, especially if the eardrum is damaged. First, a turunda is inserted into the ear. Then the drops are instilled.

Treatment with ear drops alone will not bring success. If relief comes, it will be temporary. For successful treatment For otitis media, it is important to follow all the recommendations prescribed by the doctor.

Compresses on the ear

Anything is done only with the permission of a doctor. Doctors often prescribe warm compresses. The procedure will relieve pain and improve blood flow in the inflamed ear. For the compress you will need:

• Gauze or cotton cloth.
• A piece of oilcloth.
• Wide bandage.
• Scarf made of natural fabrics.

The gauze is rolled into six layers. Then a hole is made in it. Soak the gauze with a solution of alcohol (alcohol and water are mixed in equal parts). The gauze should be damp, but not wet. Make the same hole in the oilcloth. Apply gauze to the ear and place an oilcloth on top. A bandage is applied over the oilcloth, and then the compress is secured with a scarf. The compress is left for 4 hours.

Compresses on the ear are made using boric acid. Boric acid acts as an antiseptic. To prepare a compress, mix water and vodka in equal parts. Then add 25 ml of boric alcohol. The hand is lubricated with the resulting solution. If no allergic reactions occur within 30 minutes, then proceed to the compress. The procedure is the same as with an alcohol compress.

Warming up the ear

Another one effective procedure, with the help of which it is possible to relieve pain. But this procedure, like compresses, is carried out only with the permission of the attending doctor.

Warming is carried out using salt. This is the easiest way. Salt is poured into a frying pan and put on fire. It is heated to 45 degrees. When the salt warms up, it is poured into a cloth scarf. Apply a dry compress to the sore ear and hold it there for 15 minutes. For convenience, you can lie on your side.

Ensuring free nasal breathing

For otitis media, cleansing the nasal passages is a necessary procedure. At night, vasoconstrictor drops are instilled into the child so that the baby can fall asleep. To remove accumulated mucus, the nose is washed with a solution table salt. To prepare it, 1 tbsp. l. salts are mixed with 250 ml of water. Rinse your nose with the resulting solution. The nose is also washed with decoctions of medicinal herbs, for example, sage, chamomile, calendula. For the procedure, ready-made pharmaceutical solutions are used, for example, Aqua Maris, Dolphin, Aqualor.

The child should be given more warm liquids to drink. Also effective against nasal congestion steam inhalations. To prepare inhalations, you need to bring water to a boil and add medicinal herbs and boil for a couple more minutes. Then let the child breathe in the steam. The main thing is that the steam is not too hot.

To eliminate the accumulation of mucus in the sinuses during otitis, drops from Kalanchoe or beets are used. A freshly cut Kalanchoe leaf is grated and the juice is squeezed out. Pour into a pipette and drop 2-3 drops into the nose.

After instillation, the child begins to sneeze frequently. This is a normal reaction.

The beets are grated, the juice is squeezed out and diluted with a small amount of water. No more than 3 drops are dripped into each nasal sinus.

Toilet ear

Ear hygiene is effective prophylactic against otitis in children. Many parents believe that ear hygiene consists of cleaning them with a cotton swab. But using a cotton swab only pushes the wax deeper into the ear. Therefore, first of all, you need to give up cotton swabs. Their use leads to the fact that sulfur accumulates behind the eardrum, and cerumen plugs begin to form.

After any water procedures The child needs to wipe his ears dry. You should regularly clean your ears only from the outside with cotton swabs. With the onset of cold weather, it is imperative to wear a warm hat. In the summer, when it gets dusty outside, after a walk you need to wipe the outside of your ears with a cotton swab. At home, it is regularly necessary to do wet cleaning and ventilate the room.

Antibiotics for otitis media

Antibiotic therapy plays a role important role in the treatment of otitis in children. It is allowed to give antibiotics to a small child only after seeing a doctor. They are prescribed if:

• The child has not reached 2 years of age.
• Symptoms of intoxication of the body are clearly expressed.
• Body temperature reached 39 degrees.
• The pain becomes more intense every day.

Among antibiotics, children are prescribed Amoxicillin. Children under 10 years of age are recommended to take the drug in the form of a suspension.

The drug "Sofradex" is prescribed for otitis media in acute or chronic form. The drug is available in the form of drops. Instill 2-3 drops into the child’s sore ear no more than 4 times a day.

How long does it take to treat otitis media in a child?

A child’s body, unlike an adult’s, tolerates all pathologies more difficult. And therapy is delayed for a longer period. The duration of treatment depends on the form of the disease. The treatment period is determined by the doctor. If after time the child does not improve, then the duration of therapy is increased. Varieties of otitis need to be treated in different ways.

Most often, if there are no additional diseases, therapy for otitis in a child lasts up to 10 days in the serous form. In acute form, the symptoms of otitis media disappear within 5 days.

If suppuration of the inflamed ear begins, treatment is often delayed for even a month.

In most cases, the recovery period depends on the child's immune defense. The stronger the immune system, the faster the baby will feel better and the disease will recede.

Possible complications and the dangers of otitis media

Among possible complications The most dangerous is hearing loss. In severe forms of otitis, body temperature can reach 40 degrees. Feverish state very dangerous and leads to serious complications.

During illness, nasal discharge appears. Nasal congestion becomes more intense in the evening. Due to ear pain and difficulty breathing, the baby practically does not sleep at night. Such complications arise if otitis media begins against the background of ARVI.

Purulent inflammation is always severe, especially if the child has a weak immune system. The occurrence of complications is due to the lack of treatment. As a result of otitis media, meningitis, sepsis and encephalitis can develop. Otitis media is not a dangerous pathology, but without treatment it can cause serious complications.

Prevention of otitis

The main rule that helps prevent the development of pathology is caring for the nose and ears. In case of viral and infectious diseases, they must be treated further. Even if there are no longer symptoms of the disease, you cannot stop therapy. It is also important to clean your nose from mucus and your ears from accumulated wax.

Diving into the water is only allowed with a mask. After water procedures, the ears must be wiped dry. When swimming in open water, earplugs are inserted into the ears. It is recommended to swim only in clean waters.

It is good for a child to go to the sea every year in the summer. Sea air increases immunity and has a positive effect on the baby’s overall health. You should regularly give your child a complex of vitamins and minerals with the onset of the cold season. This will help stimulate immune system and will prevent infections and viruses from entering the body.