Understanding Ear Infection -- Symptoms

In this article

• What Are the Symptoms of an Ear Infection?
• Call Your Doctor About an Ear Infection If:

What Are the Symptoms of an Ear Infection?

• 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 drainage

Understanding Ear Infections

• Tugging at the ear
• Poor sleep
• Fever
• Irritability, restlessness
• Ear drainage
• Diminished appetite
• Crying at night when lying down

Call Your Doctor About an Ear Infection If:

• Body temperature rises above 100.4 degrees; a fever signals the possibility of a more serious infection (especially in infants and young children)
• You or your child frequently develops ear infections; repeated bouts with the disorder can lead to hearing loss or more serious infections
• You or your child has hearing problems; the infection may be the cause
• You suspect that your young child has an ear infection

• Your child develops a stiff neck
• Your child is very lethargic, responds poorly, or is inconsolable