Recommended Related to Ear Infection

Symptoms of a middle ear infection (acute otitis media) often start 2 to 7 days after the start of a cold or other upper respiratory infection. Symptoms of an ear infection may include:

Ear pain (mild to severe). Babies often pull or tug at their ears when they have an earache.Fever.

Drainage from the ear that is thick and yellow or bloody. If this occurs, the eardrum has probably burst (ruptured). The hole in the eardrum often heals by itself in a few weeks.

Loss of appetite, vomiting, and grumpy behavior .Trouble sleeping.
Trouble hearing.

Symptoms of fluid buildup may include:

Recomanded Related to Ear Infection

Understanding Swimmer's Ear -- Prevention

These tips may help you avoid getting swimmer's ear: Be careful when cleaning the ears. Most doctors advise against using cotton swabs unless it’s for the outside of the ear. Instead, wipe the outer ear with a clean washcloth. Do not dig into the ear canal, and never use a pointed object. Scratching the skin of the ear canal can let germs get in under the skin and cause infection. Avoid earplugs, if possible. These can irritate the ear canal. Wear a swimmer's cap or wet suit hood when...

Read the Understanding Swimmer's Ear -- Prevention article > >

Popping, ringing, or a feeling of fullness or pressure in the ear. Children often have trouble describing this feeling. Children may rub their ears trying to relieve pressure.

Trouble hearing. Children who have problems hearing may seem dreamy or inattentive, or they may appear grumpy or cranky.Balance problems and dizziness.

Some children don't have any symptoms with this condition.

Treatment for middle ear infections (acute otitis media) involves home treatment for symptom relief.
Your doctor can give your child antibiotics, but ear infections often get better without them. Talk about this with your doctor. Whether you use antibiotics will depend on how old your child is and how bad the infection is.
Follow-up exams with a doctor are important to check for persistent infection, fluid behind the eardrum (otitis media with effusion), or repeat infections.

If your child has ongoing ear pain, a fever [101°F (38.33°C) or higher], or is grumpy or vomiting after 48 hours of treatment, see your doctor.
Even if your child seems well, he or she may need a follow-up visit in about 4 weeks, especially if your child is young. If fluid behind the eardrum persists for 3 months, the child should have his or her hearing tested.1
Initial treatment

The first treatment of a middle ear infection focuses on relieving pain. The doctor will also assess your child for any risk of complications.If your child has an ear infection and appears very ill, is younger than 2, or is at risk for complications from the infection, your doctor will likely give antibiotics right away.

If your child has cochlear implants, your doctor will probably prescribe antibiotics, because bacterial meningitis is more common in children who have cochlear implants than in children who do not have cochlear implants.