Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsTreatmentsPreventionFAQ
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Treatments
Prevention
FAQ
Anear infection, also known as acuteotitis media, is an infection that occurs in the space behind the eardrum. Ear infections are common in babies and toddlers. The National Institutes of Health estimates that five out of six children will experience at least one ear infection before their third birthday.
Your little one may develop an ear infection when a virus or bacteria infects and traps fluid behind theeardrum. This extra fluid causes pain and bulging of the eardrum.
Many ear infections resolve on their own. When they don’t, treatment usually includesantibioticsand over-the-counter pain medications. Frequent ear infections may require the placement of ear tubes.
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Symptoms of Ear Infections in Babies
Ear infections are common in babies, and it is helpful to know the classic signs to watch out for:
Symptoms of Ear Infection in Babies
Treatment for your child’s ear infection will depend on their age, size, and symptoms.
When Should You Call a Healthcare Provider?If your child develops signs of an ear infection, call your healthcare provider. Seek emergency treatment if your child’s temperature goes above 104 F or if they develop neck stiffness (can’t touch chin to chest), muscle weakness (crooked smile), new vomiting, or bleeding.
When Should You Call a Healthcare Provider?
If your child develops signs of an ear infection, call your healthcare provider. Seek emergency treatment if your child’s temperature goes above 104 F or if they develop neck stiffness (can’t touch chin to chest), muscle weakness (crooked smile), new vomiting, or bleeding.
Under 6 Months
Babies under 6 months with an ear infection are usually prescribed antibiotics. Ear infection-causing bacteria trapped behind the eardrum can spread to other parts of the body, leading to severe infection. In young babies, complications from infection can be especially severe, and because young babies are not fully vaccinated, their risk of severe infection is even greater.
6 Months-2 Years
For children between six months and two years of age, antibiotics may be prescribed for advanced infections, like when the eardrum ruptures. If the ear infection is not severe, the healthcare provider may recommend taking a “wait and watch” approach for two to three days to see if the infection gets better before prescribing antibiotics.
2 Years and Up
To help manage pain and discomfort, the child can be given an over-the-counter medication, such asibuprofen (Advil) or acetaminophen (Tylenol). If the child’s symptoms do not get better within two to three days, antibiotics will be considered.Do not give your child aspirin, due to the risk ofReye’s syndrome.
Sometimes, a child will develop repeated ear infections until they are 5 or 6 years old. In cases like this, a surgical procedure called amyringotomyandtympanostomytube placementmay be considered. A surgeon will insert smalltubesinto the child’s eardrums to improve airflow and prevent fluid buildup.The tubes usually fall out on their own as the eardrum heals.
If your pediatrician recommends antibiotics, give them to your child exactly as prescribed.The usual course of antibiotics is 10 days, and it’s important to finish the prescription. Your child will most likely start feeling better within a few days.
Study: Ear Tube Surgery for Kids Not Much Better Than Antibiotics
12 Home Remedies for Ear Infections
Summary
It’s helpful to remember that ear infections are incredibly common in babies and young children, and many resolve on their own. Keep your child comfortable at home with over-the-counter pain medications as needed, and always call your healthcare provider if you have questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
If your child has a fever or the ear infection is not improving, your pediatrician may prescribe oral antibiotic liquid to clear up the infection.
8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders.Ear infections in children, babies & toddlers.American Academy of Pediatrics.Ear infection symptoms.Frank NM, Lynch KF, Uusitalo U, Yang J, Lönnrot M, Virtanen SM, Hyöty H, Norris JM; TEDDY Study Group.The relationship between breastfeeding and reported respiratory and gastrointestinal infection rates in young children.BMC Pediatr. 2019 Sep 18;19(1):339. doi: 10.1186/s12887-019-1693-2Seattle Children’s.Ear infection questions.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Ear infections in babies and toddlers.Nemours KidsHealth.Ear tube surgery.Siddiq S, Grainger J.The diagnosis and management of acute otitis media: American Academy of Pediatrics Guidelines 2013.Arch Dis Child Educ Pract Ed. 2015;100(4):193-197. doi:10.1136/archdischild-2013-305550Li R, Dee D, Li CM, Hoffman H, Grummer-Strawn L.Breastfeeding and risk of infections at 6 years.Pediatrics. 2014 Sep;134(1):13-20. doi:10.1542/peds.2014-0646D
8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders.Ear infections in children, babies & toddlers.American Academy of Pediatrics.Ear infection symptoms.Frank NM, Lynch KF, Uusitalo U, Yang J, Lönnrot M, Virtanen SM, Hyöty H, Norris JM; TEDDY Study Group.The relationship between breastfeeding and reported respiratory and gastrointestinal infection rates in young children.BMC Pediatr. 2019 Sep 18;19(1):339. doi: 10.1186/s12887-019-1693-2Seattle Children’s.Ear infection questions.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Ear infections in babies and toddlers.Nemours KidsHealth.Ear tube surgery.Siddiq S, Grainger J.The diagnosis and management of acute otitis media: American Academy of Pediatrics Guidelines 2013.Arch Dis Child Educ Pract Ed. 2015;100(4):193-197. doi:10.1136/archdischild-2013-305550Li R, Dee D, Li CM, Hoffman H, Grummer-Strawn L.Breastfeeding and risk of infections at 6 years.Pediatrics. 2014 Sep;134(1):13-20. doi:10.1542/peds.2014-0646D
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders.Ear infections in children, babies & toddlers.American Academy of Pediatrics.Ear infection symptoms.Frank NM, Lynch KF, Uusitalo U, Yang J, Lönnrot M, Virtanen SM, Hyöty H, Norris JM; TEDDY Study Group.The relationship between breastfeeding and reported respiratory and gastrointestinal infection rates in young children.BMC Pediatr. 2019 Sep 18;19(1):339. doi: 10.1186/s12887-019-1693-2Seattle Children’s.Ear infection questions.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Ear infections in babies and toddlers.Nemours KidsHealth.Ear tube surgery.Siddiq S, Grainger J.The diagnosis and management of acute otitis media: American Academy of Pediatrics Guidelines 2013.Arch Dis Child Educ Pract Ed. 2015;100(4):193-197. doi:10.1136/archdischild-2013-305550Li R, Dee D, Li CM, Hoffman H, Grummer-Strawn L.Breastfeeding and risk of infections at 6 years.Pediatrics. 2014 Sep;134(1):13-20. doi:10.1542/peds.2014-0646D
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders.Ear infections in children, babies & toddlers.
American Academy of Pediatrics.Ear infection symptoms.
Frank NM, Lynch KF, Uusitalo U, Yang J, Lönnrot M, Virtanen SM, Hyöty H, Norris JM; TEDDY Study Group.The relationship between breastfeeding and reported respiratory and gastrointestinal infection rates in young children.BMC Pediatr. 2019 Sep 18;19(1):339. doi: 10.1186/s12887-019-1693-2
Seattle Children’s.Ear infection questions.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Ear infections in babies and toddlers.
Nemours KidsHealth.Ear tube surgery.
Siddiq S, Grainger J.The diagnosis and management of acute otitis media: American Academy of Pediatrics Guidelines 2013.Arch Dis Child Educ Pract Ed. 2015;100(4):193-197. doi:10.1136/archdischild-2013-305550
Li R, Dee D, Li CM, Hoffman H, Grummer-Strawn L.Breastfeeding and risk of infections at 6 years.Pediatrics. 2014 Sep;134(1):13-20. doi:10.1542/peds.2014-0646D
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