Symptoms of Middle Ear Infection
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Ear infections frequently develop during or shortly after another infection, such as a cold or sore throat .
The Ear
Symptoms include:
- Ear pain (Note: Children who can talk may tell you that their ear hurts. Babies may tug or rub at the ear or face or become irritable.)
- Drainage from the ear (This may appear as blood, clearish fluid, pus, or as a dry crust on the outer portion of the ear after sleeping.)
- Hearing loss, which resolves with appropriate treatment
- Fever
- Irritability
- Decreased appetite or difficulty feeding
- Disturbed sleep
- Difficulty with balance, frequent falling, sensations of dizziness
- Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
- Malaise (feeling of general illness)
- Chills
- Inattentiveness
References:
American Medical Association website. Available at: http://www.ama-assn.org/ .
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/ .
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders website. Available at: http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/ .
Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics . 16th edition. WB Saunders; 2000.
Last reviewed November 2008 by Elie Edmond Rebeiz, MD, FACS
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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