What is it?
Otitis media is an infection of the air-filled space behind the eardrum (the middle ear). It is usually caused by bacteria or viruses.
What are the symptoms?
Symptom usually develop quickly and include:
- Pain inside the ear.
- A high temperature of 38°C or above.
- Being sick.
- A lack of energy.
- Difficulty hearing.
- Discharge running out of the ear.
- Feeling of pressure or fullness inside the ear.
- Itching and irritation in and around the ear.
- Scaly skin in and around the earfits of fussiness and intense crying (in infants).
- Clutching the ear while wincing in pain (in toddlers).
- Complaining about a pain in the ear (in older children).
What to expect?
In addition to treatment by your doctor you can try the following things:
- Painkillers such as acetaminophen may help in relieving pain and fever.