What is an ear infection?
Middle ear infections caused by viruses are common in children under one year old. This infection is often linked with another illness like a cold, flu or allergy, causing congestion and swelling of the passages connecting the nose, throat and ear.
What are the symptoms?
The main symptoms of an ear infection include an earache, children under one year old may also:
- rub or pull their ear
- react differently to some sounds
- be irritable or restless
- be off their food
- lose their balance more often than usual
How long could it last?
Symptoms usually last for about 3 days, but can last for up to a week. Most children under one year old get better within 3 days without extra treatment like antibiotics.
When should I seek help?
You can see your community pharmacist using the Pharmacy First service if your symptoms don’t improve after 2-3 days or get worse. You may need to be prescribed an antibiotic. Your community pharmacist will also give advice as to how you can help prevent the infection from coming back.
Pharmacy First is an NHS service that helps you get treatment for 7 common health problems at your local community pharmacy. It’s free and funded by NHS England, so you don’t need to book a GP appointment as you can have a consultation with your community pharmacist. The pharmacy team are highly qualified to give advice and treatment to help you feel better, fast. You can get advice over the phone or in person, and many are open late or on the weekend.
When should I visit my GP practice?
Contact your practice if your child under one year old has:
- a very high temperature or feels hot and shivery
- earache that does not start to get better after 3 days
- swelling around the ear
- fluid coming from the ear
- hearing loss or a change in hearing
- other symptoms, like being sick, a severe sore throat or dizziness
- regular ear infections
- a long-term medical condition or a weakened immune system
- seems to have pain in both ears
More information can be found here: NHS – Ear Infections
Do I need antibiotics?
Antibiotics are not usually offered because infections inside the ear often clear up on their own and antibiotics make little difference to symptoms, including pain.
Antibiotics might be prescribed if:
- an ear infection does not start to get better after 3 days
- you or your children under one year old has any fluid coming out of the ear
- you or your children under one year old has an illness that means there’s a risk of complications, such as cystic fibrosis
They may also be prescribed if your child is less than 1 years old and has an infection in both ears.
What treatment do I need?
Ear infections often get better in a few days. Here are some of the ways you can relieve the pain and discomfort:
Do:
- use painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen (always follow instructions for how many to take and age restrictions)
- place a warm or cold flannel on the ear
- remove any discharge by wiping the outside of the ear with cotton wool
Don’t:
- do not put anything inside your ear to remove earwax, such as cotton buds or your finger
- do not let water or shampoo get in your ear
- do not use decongestants or antihistamines. There’s no evidence they help with ear infections
If you are ever worried that your symptoms might be something more severe then you can visit 111.nhs.uk or call NHS 111.