Frequent consultations · Infectious diseases
Acute otitis media is an infection of the middle ear — the air-filled space just behind the eardrum. Unlike swimmer’s ear, it is not caused by water exposure but by a bacterial or viral infection, often following a cold or upper respiratory infection. It is far more common in children than in adults, partly because children’s Eustachian tubes are shorter and more horizontal, making it easier for fluid and germs to become trapped.
Symptoms in children
- Ear pain, especially when lying down
- Tugging or pulling at the ear
- Trouble sleeping
- Increased crying or irritability
- Difficulty hearing or responding to sounds
- Loss of balance
- Fever of 38°C (100°F) or higher
- Fluid draining from the ear
- Headache
- Loss of appetite
Symptoms in adults
- Ear pain
- Fluid drainage from the ear
- Reduced hearing
When to see a doctor
Call us or seek medical attention if:
- Symptoms last more than a day
- The child is younger than 6 months old
- Ear pain is severe
- An infant or toddler is unusually sleepless or irritable after a cold
- There is discharge of fluid, pus, or blood from the ear
- An adult has ear pain or discharge — this should always be evaluated promptly
Left untreated, recurrent or persistent middle-ear infections can lead to temporary hearing problems, which is why we recommend an evaluation rather than waiting it out, especially in young children on holiday who can’t always describe what’s wrong.
Source: adapted from Mayo Clinic patient guidance on acute otitis media.
If your child (or you) has ear pain with fever, contact us for a home visit — we can examine the eardrum and start treatment the same day.
Dr. Diego González Agulla — Medical Director, Clinic Port Pollensa. Licensed physician, Balearic Medical Board (COMIB), Collegiate No. 073807071.
