You feel helpless. It is 3 a.m. Your baby is crying, fussing with her ear, and running a fever. You're probably dealing with an ear infection.

You're not alone. "Ear infections are one of the most common, second only to the common cold, and most treatable ailments of young children up to the age of eight, and in some cases beyond," says Jody Murph, M.D., pediatrician with University of Iowa Children's Hospital. Almost 75 percent of all children will have at least one middle-ear infection during their childhood and 25 percent will have repeated infections.

"If your child has a high fever and acts more ill than you might predict from a cold or ear infection, she should be seen right away," suggests Murph. "This includes a child who is very irritable or hard to console, or very sleepy and hard to arouse, or who is unwilling to take in enough liquids to keep from becoming dehydrated." If you are unsure about whether your child needs to be seen immediately, call UI Health Access, 384-8442.

What exactly is an ear infection? Normally, the middle ear is filled with air. But when a child, or an adult, gets a cold or other viral infection, bacteria may enter the middle ear and cause an infection. Pus develops and pushes on the eardrum causing pain, occasionally causing the eardrum to rupture. Ear infection symptoms include ear pain, fever, irritability, decreased appetite and activity, and head shaking in infants or younger children.

Children who have a family history of ear infections face a greater risk than other children. Repeated middle-ear infections may be the result of abnormalities of the eustachian tube, most of which are temporary and are resolved as the child grows up.

Children who attend group day care face an increased risk of ear infections because of the increase in viral upper respiratory infections that spread from child to child. Children who live in a smoking environment also face an increased risk of ear infection.

If you have a health-related question, or to make an appointment, call UI Health Access - 800- 777-8442 or 319-384-8442.

• Give your child the full prescription of antibiotic. Don't stop when the child begins to feel better. It is important that all the medication be given to kill the bacteria causing the infection.
• Acetaminophen (Tylenol, Panadol, Tempra) may be used to relieve pain. Do NOT use aspirin. Your doctor may also prescribe pain-relieving ear drops. However, do NOT use them if you are concerned about a perforated ear drum.
• Be sure your child drinks plenty of liquids to keep the secretions loose.
• Use either saline nose drops or a bulb syringe to clear mucus from a baby's nose.
• Use a cool mist vaporizer to help with nasal congestion.

Call UI Health Access, 384-8442, for 24/7health information and referrals.

Visit UI Family Care for locations and hours.

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