Davidson County
Health Department
HEALTH TO YOU A – Z
INFORMATION SHEET
Ear Infection or Otitis Media
What is an Ear Infection?
A sudden infection that causes earaches is called Otitis Media. Children may complain of pain in
their jaw, ear, or even teeth. Younger children may tug on their ears, babies may be irritable or
cry more often. Ear infections may also be accompanied by a fever, runny nose, cough, pus
draining from the ear, or diarrhea. Ear infections can also cause a temporary hearing loss. Fluid
build-up in the middle ear without the previous symptoms can occur called Otitis media with
effusion. Swimmer’s ear is an infection of the ear and or the outer ear canal. This causes the ear
to be red or swollen and the pressure causes the ear to be very painful. Pus can also drain from the
ear. Untreated ear infections can lead to permanent hearing loss.
What causes an ear infection?
Bacteria or viruses that enter the ear canal can cause the infection in Otitis Media. Fluid may
build up in the middle ear from a cold just as fluid builds up in the nose. Sometimes bacteria can
grow in the fluid and cause infection.
How is ear infections treated?
 If you suspect your child has a ear infection, see the medical provider. An antibiotic may
or may not be prescribed. If an antibiotic is prescribed, please give according to the
directions and give the medication until all of it is gone even if the child feels better.
Never save antibiotic to give at a later time unless the medical provider has told you to do
this.
 Over the counter pain/fever medications can be given for ear pain and fever if your
medical provider has instructed you to do so. Never give this type of medication to mask
the pain so that an infection can be ignored. This can lead to more serious infection and
permanent hearing loss.
 Give your child extra liquids to drink and allow him to eat what he feels like.
 Never smoke in your child’s presence or in the room where your child sleeps. Tobacco
smoke may increase the risk of ear infections and colds.
 Always keep the return appointment with the medical provider. The ears will be checked
to make sure the infection has been cleared. Hearing may also be checked to make sure
any loss was temporary.
 Sometimes tubes that are surgically implanted in the ear and are needed when the child has
repeated or chronic ear infections. This allows the fluid in the middle ear to drain.
When can my child return to school?
Usually children can return to school 24 hours after begininning antibiotic and/or 24 hours after
the child’s temperature returns to normal and the ear pain has decreased.
PO Box 439, Lexington, NC 27293
(336) 242-2300
www.dchdnc.com