why children lose their hearing and what we can do 203
Mumps
Mumps infection begins with fever, and pain when opening the
mouth or eating. In 2 days, swelling develops on the side of the
neck. Sometimes mumps can cause severe hearing loss, usually in
only one ear. The swelling goes away after about 10 days, without need for
medicine. For pain or fever give paracetamol (acetaminophen). Feed the
child soft, nutritious foods and keep his mouth clean.
Get medical help if signs for meningitis appear (see page 204).
Malaria
Children who are seriously ill with malaria can become deaf. Malaria is
an infection of the blood, spread by mosquitoes, that causes chills and
high fever (40°C or 104°F or more). Sometimes this deafness may go away
within 2 to 3 days. But children who have been sick with malaria are
weaker and get ear infections more easily, which can also cause deafness.
To treat malaria
• In areas where malaria is common, treat any unexplained fever as malaria.
• When children have repeated fevers or if you suspect malaria, see
a health worker, and if possible go to a health center for a blood
test. In areas where an especially dangerous type of malaria called
falciparum occurs, seek treatment immediately.
• If a child who may have malaria begins to have convulsions
(fits) or other signs of meningitis (see the next page) he may have
cerebral malaria. Get medical help immediately.
Note: The treatment for malaria is different in different places. Medicines that
work well in one place may not be effective in another place. Find out from a
health worker which malaria medicine works best in your area. Some medicines
used to treat malaria can also cause deafness (see page 206).
Prevention:
• Cover beds and cradles where children sleep with mosquito nets or a
thin cloth. Nets treated with insecticide work best.
• Reduce standing water, which is the breeding ground for the
mosquitos that pass malaria. Clear away cans, pots, or old tires
that collect water. Drain, fill, or release fish into pools of water, or
marshes. Fill the tops of bamboo posts with sand.
• Prevent or reduce the effects by taking anti-malaria medicines.
If malaria is suspected, get treatment quickly. This will keep malaria
from being passed to others.
Helping Children Who Are Deaf (2004)