BLOG: Ears, Nose and Throats!

20th, Dec 2024

From sore ears and throats to runny noses, Dr Roger Brown, Private GP at Kingsbridge North West shares his advice on easing your child’s discomfort during the colder months and highlights when it might be necessary to seek medical advice.

Ears

Winter often brings an increase in sore ears, particularly for children, which can cause misery, sleepless nights and even lost time at school.

The middle ear is a hollow cavity between the inner and outer ear which connects to the back of the nose and throat via the Eustachian tube. We can pop our ears by closing our nose and blowing into the Eustachian tube, or by swallowing or yawning. These actions open a tiny valve at the top end of the tube to allow air to enter and leave the middle ear cavity. However, during winter upper respiratory infections such as colds and flus can block the Eustachian tube, leading to pressure imbalances and ear pain. It is very common for children to have sore ears at this time of year as they have particularly small Eustachian tubes.

While parents often assume earache signals an infection needing antibiotics, this is rarely the case. Most earaches in children result from blockages rather than bacterial infections. Decongestants, localised application of heat and pain relief such as ibuprofen or paracetamol are often sufficient for sore ears.

If a child’s earache persists for more than a few days despite these measures or if there’s visible inflammation, discharge or severe pain, consult a GP. Very rarely will there be a bloody discharge from an ear, but if this does happen, please seek prompt medical attention as this may indicate a perforation of the ear drum.

Recurring earache caused by a bacteria can cause hearing problems due to perforation, scarring of the ear drum or a chronic blockage with catarrh which becomes a ‘glue ear’, so it is important to see a doctor if an earache lasts more than a few days and is not responding to pain relief.

Earache is very common but rarely causes more than minor, short lived problems, so try some simple remedies for a few days before seeking help from your GP.

 

Runny Noses

Seasonal flu attacks the country every year, causing significant suffering for those who are affected. Fever and upper respiratory symptoms such as breathlessness, a cough and runny nose are the principal symptoms in children.

Every year a vaccination which can prevent flu is manufactured after epidemiologists in this country consult with colleagues across the world, particularly in the Far East, to see which particular strains of influenza are coming our way.

The vaccine, which usually covers a few strains, is designed to prevent serious complications and reduce transmission between people who are at high risk. Sadly, it is not designed to prevent outbreaks or control epidemics as it doesn’t last more than a year.

A new nasal vaccination which is currently being offered to children contains a small amount of live ‘weakened’ virus. But no child should develop full-blown flu as a result of the nasal vaccination.

 

Throats

Sore throats are another common winter ailment and can cause a lot of suffering, affecting important daily functions such as the ability to talk or eat. A sore throat is most commonly caused by viral or bacterial infections or exposure to irritants or allergens.

Viruses are generally self-limiting and usually settle down after a period of treatment with simple pain killers like paracetamol or gargling with salt water or an over-the-counter antiseptic solution.

About one third of sore throats in children are caused by Streptococcus Group B, the ‘strep throat’ many people talk about, and this is treated successfully by a type of penicillin.

If the back of the throat looks red and there are clear signs of yellow or white spots on swollen red tonsils, it is likely to be a bacterial infection. A red and inflamed throat is likely to be caused by a viral infection. A GP or nurse can help to establish whether the infection is Tonsillitis, Pharyngitis or Laryngitis, but as any of these may or may not need antibiotics, please allow your Doctor or GP nurse to guide you and trust them if they suggest you do not need an antibiotic.

 

Get in touch!

If you have any concerns or worries regarding your child’s health and wellbeing and would like to book an appointment with one of our Private GPs, get in touch by email KPHPrivateGP@kingsbridgehealthcaregroup.com or by booking online at kingsbridgegpclinic.com

 

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