HealthInfo Canterbury
Middle-ear infections (otitis media)
Middle-ear infections happen when a virus or bacteria gets into the space behind your eardrum. This makes fluid build up, causing pain.
Middle-ear infection is also called otitis media.
Most middle-ear infections will get better after two to three days without needing any treatment.
They are much more common in children, especially those younger than five.
In some children, the infection doesn't clear up, leading to glue ear.
Symptoms of middle-ear infections
Pain is the most common symptom of a middle ear infection. Another common symptom is fever.
Children might have trouble eating, drinking or sleeping because they get more pain in their ear.
Sometimes fluid comes out of the ear. This happens when pressure from fluid behind the eardrum causes a hole in the eardrum. Fluid behind the eardrum can cause hearing loss.
Diagnosing middle-ear infections
Your doctor will look inside the ear with a special light called an otoscope.
Treating middle ear infections
Paracetamol and ibuprofen can help if there is pain or fever. Always make sure you're giving your child the correct amount of pain medicine.
You won't usually need antibiotics. They don't treat viral infections and most infections will get better anyway within two or three days.
Your child might need antibiotics if:
- they are younger than 2
- they have fever, severe pain or fluid coming out of their ear
- they don't get better after two days.
If your child has lots of ear infections (more than six in one year) or gets glue ear, they may need to be referred to an otolaryngologist – previously called an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist – to see if they need ventilation tubes (grommets).
Self care with middle-ear infections
Rest and take pain relief as needed.
See your doctor if:
- you or your child are not getting better after two days especially if there's an ongoing fever
- you think your child is having hearing problems or delay in speech due to ear problems.
You can reduce the chance of your child getting ear infections by:
- breastfeeding your baby for at least six months if possible. If you feed your baby from a bottle, hold them at an angle instead of lying them down with the bottle.
- keeping them away from second-hand smoke.
- keeping up to date with immunisations
- washing your hands and your children’s hands well and often. This helps stop the spread of germs that cause colds and ear infections.
HealthInfo recommends the following pages
- KidsHealth – Ear infections (detailed)
This page explains the anatomy of the ear, how ear infections develop, what you can do to help prevent them, signs and symptoms, treatment and more.
Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Last reviewed May 2020.
On the next page: Glue ear
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