What Are the Symptoms of Otitis Media?
In adults: • Earache (either a sharp, sudden pain or a dull, continuous pain). • Fever and chills. • Nasal congestion. • A feeling of fullness in the ear. • Nausea and diarrhea that accompany an earache. • Muffled hearing. In children: • Tugging at the ear. • Poor sleep. • Fever. • Irritability, restlessness. • Ear drainage. • Nasal discharge. • Diminished appetite. • Crying at night when lying down. Call Your Doctor If: • Body temperature rises above 100° F; a fever signals the possibility of a more serious infection (especially in infants and young children). • Your child develops a stiff neck. • Your child is very lethargic, responds poorly, or is inconsolable. • You or your child frequently develops otitis media; 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 related. • You suspect that your young child has otitis media; it’s often difficult for a parent to tell if a child is havin
