Health Library

Back
Main Page Risk Factors Symptoms Diagnosis Treatment Screening Reducing Your Risk Talking to Your Doctor Resource Guide

Ear infections frequently develop during or shortly after another infection, such as a cold or sore throat .

The Ear
IMAGE
Copyright © Nucleus Medical Media, Inc.

Symptoms include:

  • Ear pain (Note: Children who can talk may tell you that their ear hurts. Babies may tug or rub at the ear or face or become irritable.)
  • Drainage from the ear (This may appear as blood, clearish fluid, pus, or as a dry crust on the outer portion of the ear after sleeping.)
  • Hearing loss, which resolves with appropriate treatment
  • Fever
  • Irritability
  • Decreased appetite or difficulty feeding
  • Disturbed sleep
  • Difficulty with balance, frequent falling, sensations of dizziness
  • Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
  • Malaise (feeling of general illness)
  • Chills
  • Inattentiveness
Some children with ear infection, particularly chronic otitis, have no symptoms. Their condition may be discovered on examination for some other problem.

Revision Information

  • Reviewer: Kari Kassir, MD
  • Review Date: 09/2012 -
  • Update Date: 00/91/2012 -

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.

Copyright © EBSCO Publishing
All rights reserved.

References

  • American Medical Association website. Available at: http://www.ama-assn.org/ .

  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/ .

  • National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders website. Available at: http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/ .

  • Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics . 16th edition. WB Saunders; 2000.