back to school, back to ear infections

The start of the school year often brings the smell of freshly sharpened pencils and school photos, but it also signals the onset of sickness season with sick kids, doctor visits, and bills. Contact with classmates increases the risk of upper respiratory infections, and for young children in daycare, the chance of acute ear infections (acute otitis media) rises. While good hand hygiene helps, viral illnesses are hard to prevent. Acute bacterial ear infections are typically treated with antibiotics, but for children with frequent infections, ear tubes can be beneficial. These tiny cylinders, placed under general anesthesia, allow fluid to drain from the middle ear, preventing bacterial infection. Ear tubes usually fall out painlessly over 18 months, all the while reducing doctor visits and absences, ensuring a healthier school experience.