Middle ear infection - Infants

Infants (Ages 0–2)Children (Ages 3–17)Adults (Ages 18–74)Seniors (Ages 75 and Older)

What it is

It’s an infection in the ear, behind the ear drum. It often causes ear pain, and sometimes fever. They are more common in children, especially after a cold.

What you can do at home

What to do

If you are already being treated by a healthcare professional for ear infections, follow their advice.
If your child is in pain, follow your pharmacy’s advice. You can give them acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil) if there are no contraindications. Note: Ibuprofen should not be given to children under 6 months of age. 
If your child has a fever, let them rest in a room at a comfortable temperature. Give your child plenty to drink and let them eat as much as they feel like.
If there is any discharge, gently clean only the outside of the ear with a tissue. Throw away the tissue and then wash your hands.
- Have your child sleep on the side of the ear that has discharge (to help it drain).
- Keep the ear dry and do not put anything (such as hearing aids, ear plugs, ear buds, cotton swabs) in the ear until it has healed.
If your child has a cold, frequently clean their nose with a saline solution from the pharmacy or make your own using:
- 240 ml (1 cup or 8 ounces) of boiled water that has cooled.
- 2.5 ml (½ tsp) salt
Keep the living space well ventilated.
If your child has tubes in their ears or you think their ear drum is punctured, consult directly with the pharmacist or the healthcare professional who inserted the tubes before using drops.

Avoid

Avoid giving them a pacifier (or disinfect it frequently).
Avoid giving them a bottle while they are lying down.

When to seek medical attention

If your child have any of these signs:

your child no longer reacts to sounds around them;
2 to 3 days after starting antibiotics, your child is touching their ears (still in pain), has a fever, and/or there is still discharge from the ears.

Call 811, Option 1, to speak with a nurse, or contact a healthcare professional (pharmacist, doctor, or nurse practitioner), if any of the signs listed above apply.

When to go to the hospital right away

Your child:

is unusually sleepy;  
is slow to react;  
seems agitated or confused;  
is not behaving the same as usual.

Your child is in pain and it isn’t going away. A child who cannot speak may cry more than usual, be difficult to calm, or put their hands over their ears.

Your child has a fever and is vomiting:

Your child has a rectal or ear temperature of 38 °C or more, OR an underarm or oral temperature of 37.5 °C or more.
Your child is less than 3 months old and has an underarm temperature of 37.5 °C or more or a rectal temperature of 38 °C or more;

The ear appears swollen, red, or hot.

Need help?

Call Info-Santé at 811, Option 1, to speak with a nurse at any time. 

Go to the pharmacy for advice on medications or treatment. 

Make an appointment at your medical clinic or CLSC. 

If you do not have a family doctor, go to https://gap.soinsvirtuels.gouv.qc.ca/en or call 811, Option 3.

Middle ear infection - Infants

What it is

What you can do at home

When to seek medical attention

When to go to the hospital right away

Need help?

See also

Gastroenteritis

Superficial wound