Earache

Possible Symptoms:

earache
poor hearing
drainage from the ear
fever
sore glands around the ear or in the neck
pain when the ear is tugged
itchy ears
infants may pull on the ear

You can have an ear infection which occurs outside the ear drum in the ear canal or behind the ear drum. Ear canal infections may develop after a day of swimming or water play (swimmers ear). Similarly, the ear canal is more likely to become infected if it has been irritated by using cotton-swabs. Infections behind the ear drum, called middle ear infections, can result from congestion during a cold or flu when the Eustachian tube plugs and the normal drainage to the throat is blocked. Middle ear infections are uncommon in children under 6 months of age. Breast-fed babies seem to have fewer ear infections.

Please answer the following questions for advice on what to do next.

Questions

Is your child less than 3 months old?

or

Does the child have a fever above

39.5C (103F) Rectal or 39C (102F) Oral?

or

Is there a discharge or drainage from the ear?

or

Is your child very sleepy and weak?

or

Does your child have a severe headache, or complain of severe pain on moving his/her neck?