Ear infection (otitis media) : symptoms and treatments

Otitis media is an infection and inflammation of the middle ear. It is the second most frequent infection in children after a cold.

Ear infections can happen separately, or present with another infection such as a cold or sore throat.

One or both ears can be affected.

Symptoms of otitis media

• Ear ache, pulling ears, crying in pain.
• It can be associated with a common cold therefore has runny nose symptoms before the infection appears.
• Buzzing in the ear and or a feeling of a blocked ear.
• Temporary reduced hearing in the affected ear.
• If the ear drum bursts, the appearance of a yellow liquid (pus) or a small amount of blood can be seen leaking from the ear.
• Tiredness, fever, headaches, sore throat and difficulties in sleeping can accompany otitis media.

General Advice

• The use of cotton buds is not recommended because they can cause a perforation of the ear drums.
• Do not smoke: smoking is a risk factor
• Avoid exposure to loud noise
• Teach the child how to blow her noise; one nostril at a time. This helps to keep the ventilation tube from the ear to the nose clear
• Avoid the exposure to allergens...

Treatment: see your GP

• Do not lay your child on the side of the infected ear because this position will worsen the pain.
• Most ear infections are viral especially when associated with a cold. Therefore antibiotic treatment is reserved for bacterial infections, and not given if a viral infection is suspected.
• Give regular paracetamol for pain
• Keep your child's nose clean
• Avoid smoking