Treatment for middle ear infections (otitis media) involves home treatment for symptom relief and, in some cases, antibiotics.
If a child with an ear infection appears very ill, is younger than age 2, or is at risk for complications from infection, the doctor may prescribe antibiotics.
In children age 2 and older with simple ear infections, more options are available. Some doctors prescribe antibiotics for all ear infections because it's hard to tell which ear infections will clear up on their own. Other doctors ask parents to watch their child's symptoms for a couple of days, since more than 80% of ear infections get better without treatment. Antibiotic treatment has only minimal benefits in reducing pain and fever. The cost of medication and possible side effects are factors doctors consider before giving antibiotics. Also, many doctors are concerned about the growing number of bacteria that are developing resistance to antibiotics because of frequent use of antibiotics.
Follow-up exams with a health professional are important to check for persistent infection, fluid behind the eardrum (otitis media with effusion), or repeat infections.
| To | back to the top |
| Ear Infections: Treatment Overview |  Previous | Next  |
| Last updated: April 21, 2005 |
 |
|
 |
|
 |
Print-Friendly Version |
|
|
|
|
FREE Newsletters
Print Friendly Version
Email a Friend
= 
= WebMD Health Center