If your child is verbal and complains of ear pain, or crying and tugging of the ear in a younger child, you may give them Tylenol or Motrin (dosages listed under medications) as needed.  You may also use a warm pack applied externally over the ear to help alleviate the pain.  If this inconveniently happens at night, continue supportive care until the morning and call our office to make an appointment, or come to the walk-in sick clinic on Mon, Wed, Fri mornings from 8-9 a.m.

If the pain is not improved with the above measures or there is drainage of fluid or blood from the ear, call the doctor or nurse practitioner on call.

Ear infections are caused by viruses or bacteria that entered through the nose or mouth, causing an upper respiratory infection whereby fluid enters the middle ear.  This fluid may cause some pressure feeling or may get infected and cause inflammation of the ear drum.  Your doctor or NP will be able to discuss with you antibiotic treatment versus "watchful waiting" after evaluation.