Also known as ear infection, ear pain in children.
This page is general health information, not a diagnosis. Always consult a licensed clinician about your own health.
Overview
Otitis media is infection of the middle ear, common in young children after colds, causing ear pain, fever and sometimes a discharging ear. Repeated or neglected infections can damage hearing — a serious matter in a child learning to speak. Most infections settle quickly with proper care.
Symptoms
Ear pain — infants may pull or rub the ear and cry more
Fever
Irritability and poor sleep in children
Fluid or pus draining from the ear
Reduced hearing
Loss of balance
Causes & risk factors
Colds and catarrh blocking the tube draining the middle ear
Bacterial or viral infection of trapped fluid
Bottle-feeding lying flat; exposure to smoke
Young age — the drainage tube is short and flat in children
Treatment & self-care
Pain relief and observation are appropriate for many mild cases, as advised by a clinician; antibiotics are prescribed for younger children, severe pain or discharging ears. Never insert cotton buds, oils or herbal drops into a painful or draining ear. Repeated infections or lasting hearing reduction need ENT follow-up.
See a doctor urgently if
Ear pain in a baby under six months — same day
Discharge of pus or blood from the ear
Swelling, redness or tenderness behind the ear — emergency
Hearing not recovering after the infection
Repeated infections within months
Frequently asked questions
What are the first signs of Middle Ear Infection (Otitis Media)?
Early signs often include ear pain — infants may pull or rub the ear and cry more, fever, irritability and poor sleep in children. Symptoms vary from person to person, so a proper assessment by a doctor is the only way to be sure.
Can Middle Ear Infection (Otitis Media) be treated?
Pain relief and observation are appropriate for many mild cases, as advised by a clinician; antibiotics are prescribed for younger children, severe pain or discharging ears. Never insert cotton buds, oils or herbal drops into a painful or draining ear. Repeated infections or lasting hearing reduction need ENT follow-up.
When should I see a doctor about Middle Ear Infection (Otitis Media)?
See a doctor promptly if you notice: ear pain in a baby under six months — same day; discharge of pus or blood from the ear; swelling, redness or tenderness behind the ear — emergency; hearing not recovering after the infection; repeated infections within months.