Are my girls ear infections from swimming in an unclean swimming pool?

I've just been to Greece and my two children and our friend's son all managed to pick up an ear infection. There were a number of children walking around our hotel grounds and pool area with cotton wool in their ears ie they also had ear infections.

Did my kids pick up an infection from being in the pool? Was it directly from unclean water or did water get lodged in their ears and this caused the infection? Could the fact that other children had ear infections and were in the water that my children caught it this way?

The more likely reason is just simply that they got water trapped in their ears. A child's ear isn't quite like an adults in shape so water traps easier not to say adults cannot have this problem too. I have an idea the cotton you saw was a preventative not a remedy. Ear plugs are an excellent way to prevent this problem.

probably.... either that or something else is in there....

Yes they did probably get it from the water of the other kids. Have a doctor check them. Buy swimmers ear!! And some pain medicine.

Not likely, because kids swim in lakes and rivers which are a lot dirtier than pools, and they don't all get ear infections. If water gets caught in their ears, though it can cause them.

Yes it could have been contagious form other children, but if it happens again there is a quick easy way to figure out if the ear infections have come form water being pushed into the ear canal or caught from another person - tug on their ear lobe lightly if it hurts there is water in their ear canal, if not it is just a regular infection. I doubt if it has been long, and they have had antibiotics you will be able to try this now, but for future reference it works.

It does not have to be unclean to get swimmers ear. Lot worst thing to get from unclean water than a ear infection.

go to a doctor

My son has problems with his ears too. He is always picking up ear infections from contact of water. Take your daughter to doctors and get some antibotics. Once it has cleared up, take her back and get her ears checked to see if she suffers from glue ear or has a major ear problem. Ent and audiology are best specialists.

They water was probably fine, but water being trapped in the ear can cause infection.
Next time your kids go swimming just tip their head to each side for a few seconds and let any water run out.

Generally, swimmer's ear is caused by the ear not drying out after swimming, and all that moisture invites infections of the ear. Children with infected ears in the pool would not have had a significant affect on your children's ears if they had completely dried out.

get it check out by a doctor don't wait for the infection to just go away this can lead to other infections in the body

YES in a word
when i was diagnosed with cancer the doctors told me i could do anything to relax but must NOT go in a public pool under any curcumstance
theyre so filthy you may as well dunk you head in an unflushed public loo!!!

yes as you advised not to take a child swimming if they have an ear infection

yep it could be my son picked up ear infection in local pool xxxxx

Try NHS Direct or your GP... can you understand English ??

Yes more than likely, have you seen what oeople do in pools,spitting, urinating, blowing their nose, breaking wind, this does not take into account any open sores they may have.