Can anyone explain ear infections to me?

[CandleRigg89]

Hi all! Not looking for medical advice, just to try to help me understand how ear infections actually work! I’ve googled and still don’t quite get it.

Can someone explain ear infections to me?

My 2.3 year old son had an ear infection back in April and one right now. Both formed after very heavy colds, and antibiotics prescribed as it was drainage that alerted to the infection. He’s had mild colds without ear infections. This current one the GP said it was likely viral but wanted us to have them anyway to err on the side of caution.

I know most ear infections are caused by viral illness, but I thought whenever gunk like this was present it meant bacteria had got in and always needed antibiotics. Am I wrong? Can discharge also be viral? Is there a chance that this would have cleared up without antibiotics?

Of course I’ll take and complete the course as directed, I’m just confused by the GP’s comments that it’s still likely viral even with the discharge?

Yes viruses cause discharge from the ear too. The discharge is your bodies reaction to a foreign invader, so its white blood cells and various substances the body produces that it sends to the site to fight infections.

If you look up the bodys immune response that will explain it better. I think ear infections are common in kids after colds because their tiny ear tubes are too small to drain properly if the sinuses get blocked. The immune system is very complex, but amazing!