Acute Otitis Media
Your child has been diagnosed with an acute otitis media, also known as a middle ear infection.
We know this can be a stressful time with lots of information from healthcare providers. It can be difficult to absorb everything.
We hope the following pages will be helpful in providing you with the education and resources you need to support your child from home.
What is acute otitis media?
Acute otitis media is an infection of the middle ear. The infection can be caused by a virus and/or bacteria.
The middle ear is drained by a small tube, called the eustachian tube. Anything that causes this tube to swell, such as a virus, will prevent the middle ear from properly draining. Bacteria are more likely to grow in this setting.
Click continue to learn more!
Other Resources: Caring for Kids - Ear Infections Mayo Clinic - Middle Ear Anatomy
Symptoms of Acute Otitis Media
The symptoms of acute otitis media can be vague but may include:
- fever
- ear pain
- in younger children, tugging/pulling the ear
- fluid discharge from ear
- hearing loss
- lethargy
What to do at home
Click below for information on ways to help at home.
Track your child's symptoms
Keep track of your child's symptoms and document details you feel are important. For example, record episodes of vomiting or diarrhea. You may also want to keep track of any medications given and whether this helped.
Pain and fever management
To help reduce fever, you can give your child acetaminophen
(Tylenol) and, if your child is older than 3 months,
ibuprofen (Advil), so long as your child does not have
allergies or other reasons not to take these medications.
Unless your doctor advises you otherwise, give the dose
recommended on the medication package.
Safe Acetaminophen Dosing for Infants and Children
Mount Sinai - Ibuprofen Dosing for Infants and
Children
Help your child stay hydrated
As with other illnesses, it is important to ensure your child remains well hydrated by offering fluids containing not only water but sugar and electrolytes (e.g., breastmilk or formula in infants, electrolyte drinks in older children) WebMD - Treating Dehydration in Children
Medical Therapy
If you have been seen by a medical professional, they may have treated your child with medications. Click below to learn more about these medications.
A. Antibiotics
Acute otitis media can be caused by a virus and/or bacteria.
Bacteria can be killed by antibiotics. Viruses cannot be
killed by antibiotics.
If your healthcare provider thinks your child has acute
otitis media due to a bacterial infection, they will
prescribe an antibiotic. Please follow the instructions
provided by the physician and on the prescription.
Stop the antibiotics if you think your child is having an
allergic reaction, with symptoms such as rash, wheezing and
shortness of breath, diarrhea or vomiting. Otherwise,
complete the full course of antibiotics and do not stop them
just because your child is feeling better.
When to seek medical attention
Here are some signs that, if present, should lead you to seek immediate medical attention for your child:
- fever in a child under 3 months of age
- fever lasting more than 48-72 hours since your child was last seen for fever
- no improvement or worsening symptoms after 2 days of using antibiotics
- worsening pain
- new or worsening discharge from the ear
- swelling or pain behind the ear
- excessively sleepy, lethargic or not responsive child
- poor intake leading to dehydration (dry mouth, sunken eyes, no tears, dark urine, no urine for more than 8-12 hours) or inability to keep down medications
Follow Up
Please follow up with your primary care provider unless instructed otherwise. Of course, if you feel your child needs immediate medical attention, please do not hesitate to call 911 or bring them to your closest emergency department.
We hope this has been useful. Thank you for using Paediatrics@home!