There's nothing more important than the well-being of our children. At University Health, our pediatric care teams understand.
Whether your child needs a routine checkup or treatment for an illness, we can help. You'll receive compassionate care and knowledgeable assistance from our doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, medical assistants and office staff.
Reviewed 10/20/2022
Ear infections: True or false?
Ear infections are a common problem in children—and they can be really unpleasant for kids and parents. In addition to pain, ear infections may cause appetite loss, fever, sleep trouble, ear drainage and trouble hearing. Fortunately, the more you know about this troublesome ear issue, the better you can help your children.
True or false: Earaches are always caused by infections in the middle ear.
False. Many earaches are caused by infections in the middle ear. These infections are called otitis media and may be due to viruses, bacteria or allergies. But earaches also can be caused by infections in the outer ear (otitis externa). One of these is swimmer's ear, caused by bacteria or fungus growing in the ear canal.
True or false: Children are more prone to middle ear infections because their ear parts are smaller than adults'.
True. The passageway that connects the middle ear to the back of the nose is shorter and narrower—and more horizontal—in children. That makes it easier for the tube to become clogged.
True or false: Middle ear infections may clear up without antibiotic treatment within a week or two.
True. Antibiotics aren't needed to treat some middle ear infections, even if the infection is caused by bacteria. In many cases, treating the pain until the infection clears up is all that's needed. Infants under age 6 months, however, will always need antibiotics.
True or false: Ear infections are contagious.
False. You can't catch an ear infection from someone else. You can, however, catch someone else's cold, which can lead to a middle ear infection.
True or false: Cleaning your ears with a cotton swab can lessen the likelihood of an ear infection.
False. In fact, cleaning your ears with a cotton swab makes infection more likely. The wax in your ears is protective, and removing it can damage the lining of your ear. That can open the door for bacteria and viruses.
Most children will have at least one ear infection before they turn 3 years old. Take kids with an earache to see a doctor.
Sources: American Academy of Pediatrics; National Institutes of Health
Pediatric services
Our team provides a full range of general pediatric services, including:
- Routine well-child exams.
- Immunizations and vaccinations.
- Sick-child visits.
- School and sports physicals.
- Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) evaluations.
- Screenings for vision, hearing, lead and hemoglobin.
In addition to addressing routine issues, we also care for children who have complicated illnesses and chronic conditions.
We can also refer to you specialists, if needed. And we often partner with other children's health experts, including nutritionists, lactation specialists and social workers.
Our doctors
Our doctors are all trained to provide expert care for both children and adults. Some are family medicine residents. Others are residents training to become dual-certified in pediatrics and internal medicine. Board-certified physicians with years of pediatric experience oversee the team.
Our doctors build lifelong relationships, and they understand how health concerns and needs change as we age. That means your child can continue to see the doctor they know and trust when they reach adulthood.
Pediatric clinic locations
We offer pediatric care at three clinics:
- The University Health Primary Care Center for Family Health in downtown Kansas City. This clinic is a partnership between Truman Medical Centers/University Health and Children's Mercy.
- The University Health Primary Care Bess Truman Family Medicine Center.
- University Health Community Care Linwood. This facility adjoins the Linwood YMCA. It's a convenient neighborhood clinic that offers special services for teen moms.
To make an appointment, contact the location that's most convenient for you and your family. The goal of your child's first visit is to learn about the child and your family history. There will be a physical exam and a review of any medications. If you have a copy of your child's vaccine record, please bring it! We'll make sure everything is up-to-date. And we'll provide guidance specific to your child's age and development.
No matter which facility you choose or what health concerns you have, we are your partners in pediatric care. We look forward to seeing you soon.