Ear Infections-When To Call a Doctor
Call your doctor immediately if:
Call your doctor if:
Understanding Ear Infection -- Symptoms
The symptoms of an ear infection in adults are: Earache (either a sharp, sudden pain or a dull, continuous pain) A sharp stabbing pain with immediate warm drainage from the ear canal A feeling of fullness in the ear Nausea Muffled hearing Ear drainageIn children, the symptoms are: Tugging at the ear Poor sleep Fever Irritability, restlessness Ear drainage Diminished appetite Crying at night when lying down
Read the Understanding Ear Infection -- Symptoms article > >
Watchful waiting is when you and your doctor watch symptoms to see if the health problem improves on its own. If it does, no treatment is needed. If the symptoms don't get better or if they get worse, then it's time to take the next treatment step.
Your doctor may recommend watchful waiting if your child is 2 years of age or older, has mild ear pain, and is otherwise healthy. Most ear infections get better without antibiotics. But if your child's pain doesn't get better with nonprescription children's pain reliever (such as acetaminophen) or the symptoms continue after 48 hours, call a doctor.
Health professionals who can diagnose and treat ear infections include:
Children who often get ear infections may need to see one of these specialists:
To prepare for your appointment, see the topic Making the Most of Your Appointment.
- Your child has sudden hearing loss, severe pain, or dizziness.
- Your child seems to be very sick with symptoms such as a high fever and stiff neck.
- You notice redness, swelling, or pain behind or around your child's ear, especially if your child doesn't move the muscles on that side of his or her face.
Call your doctor if:
Recommended Related to Ear Infection
Understanding Ear Infection -- Symptoms
The symptoms of an ear infection in adults are: Earache (either a sharp, sudden pain or a dull, continuous pain) A sharp stabbing pain with immediate warm drainage from the ear canal A feeling of fullness in the ear Nausea Muffled hearing Ear drainageIn children, the symptoms are: Tugging at the ear Poor sleep Fever Irritability, restlessness Ear drainage Diminished appetite Crying at night when lying down
Read the Understanding Ear Infection -- Symptoms article > >
- You can't quiet your child who has a severe earache by using home treatment over several hours.
- Your baby pulls or rubs his or her ear and appears to be in pain (crying, screaming).
- Your child's ear pain increases even with treatment.
- Your child has a fever of 101°F (38.3°C) or higher with other signs of ear infection.
- You suspect that your child's eardrum has burst, or fluid that looks like pus or blood is draining from the ear.
- Your child has an object stuck in his or her ear.
- Your child with an ear infection continues to have symptoms (fever and pain) after 48 hours of treatment with an antibiotic.
- Your child with an ear tube develops an earache or has drainage from his or her ear.
Watchful waiting
Watchful waiting is when you and your doctor watch symptoms to see if the health problem improves on its own. If it does, no treatment is needed. If the symptoms don't get better or if they get worse, then it's time to take the next treatment step.
Your doctor may recommend watchful waiting if your child is 2 years of age or older, has mild ear pain, and is otherwise healthy. Most ear infections get better without antibiotics. But if your child's pain doesn't get better with nonprescription children's pain reliever (such as acetaminophen) or the symptoms continue after 48 hours, call a doctor.
Who to see
Health professionals who can diagnose and treat ear infections include:
- Pediatricians.
- Family medicine doctors.
- Nurse practitioners.
- Physician assistants.
- Internal medicine doctors.
- Otolaryngologists.
- Pediatric otolaryngologists.
Children who often get ear infections may need to see one of these specialists:
- Otolaryngologist
- Pediatric otolaryngologist
- Audiologist
To prepare for your appointment, see the topic Making the Most of Your Appointment.
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