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Ear Infection

Ear infections are common, especially in children, and occur when part of the ear becomes infected and inflamed. They often cause earache and can affect hearing. Many clear up on their own within a few days, though some need treatment, and knowing when to seek help is useful.

Written byAikins Apreku
Reviewed byDeborah Adotso, General Nurse
Updated June 2026

Quick Facts

What it is
Infection and inflammation of part of the ear
Most common in
Children, though adults get them too
Main symptom
Earache
Often
Clear up on their own in a few days
Sometimes need
Treatment, occasionally antibiotics

What is an ear infection?

An ear infection occurs when a part of the ear becomes infected, usually by a virus or bacteria, leading to inflammation and often pain. The most common type is a middle ear infection (otitis media), affecting the space behind the eardrum, which is particularly common in young children. Infections can also affect the ear canal (the tube leading to the eardrum), sometimes called an outer ear infection or swimmer's ear.

Ear infections frequently follow a cold or other respiratory infection, as the same passages become affected. They are one of the most common reasons young children see a doctor, partly because the tubes that drain the middle ear are smaller and more horizontal in children, making them more prone to blockage and infection. Most ear infections are not serious and improve within a few days, though they can be painful while they last.

Symptoms

Ear infection symptoms vary with the type and the person's age. In adults and older children, symptoms are usually easy to describe, while in babies and young children, signs may be less obvious. Common symptoms include:

  • •Earache or pain in the ear
  • •A feeling of pressure or fullness in the ear
  • •Reduced hearing or muffled sounds
  • •Fluid or discharge draining from the ear
  • •A high temperature (fever)
  • •In young children: tugging or rubbing the ear, irritability, difficulty sleeping, or being off their food

Causes and risk factors

Ear infections usually develop when germs — viruses or bacteria — reach part of the ear, often following a cold, flu or other respiratory infection that causes congestion and blockage of the tubes that normally drain the ear. Several factors raise the risk, particularly in children:

  • •A recent cold or respiratory infection
  • •Being a young child, due to ear anatomy
  • •Exposure to cigarette smoke
  • •Attending nursery or being around other children
  • •For outer ear infections: water staying in the ear, or irritation from objects
  • •Allergies that cause congestion

Treatment and relief

Many ear infections, particularly in the middle ear, clear up on their own within a few days without antibiotics, as the body fights off the infection. The main focus is often on relieving pain and discomfort. Painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, used as directed and appropriate for age, are the mainstay of relief. A warm or cool cloth held against the ear may also soothe.

Antibiotics are not usually needed and are reserved for certain situations, such as infections that are severe, not improving, or in very young children or those at higher risk, as a doctor judges. For outer ear infections, treatment may include ear drops. Because overuse of antibiotics is avoided where possible, a doctor will advise whether they are needed based on the type and severity of infection and the person's circumstances.

Ear infections in children

Ear infections are especially common in babies and young children, and recognising them can be harder when a child cannot yet explain how they feel. Signs to look for include a child tugging, rubbing or pulling at their ear, becoming unusually irritable or restless, difficulty sleeping, a high temperature, being off their food, or fluid draining from the ear. A child may also seem to have trouble hearing or be less responsive to sounds.

Most childhood ear infections clear up within a few days with pain relief, and antibiotics are often not needed. However, it is worth seeking advice if a child is very unwell, if symptoms do not improve, if a baby under a certain age is affected, or if there is discharge from the ear. Repeated ear infections, or persistent fluid affecting hearing (sometimes called glue ear), may need further assessment, as ongoing hearing effects can impact a child's development and learning.

For parents, the key points are managing pain effectively, watching how the child is overall, and seeking advice when needed rather than assuming. While ear infections are common and usually resolve well, a doctor can reassure, advise on treatment, and pick up the less common situations that need closer attention.

Preventing ear infections

While not all ear infections can be prevented, some steps reduce the risk, particularly in children who are prone to them. Because ear infections often follow colds and other respiratory infections, the general measures that reduce those infections also help: regular handwashing, keeping up to date with recommended vaccinations, and avoiding exposure to cigarette smoke, which is a known risk factor for ear infections in children.

For babies, some evidence suggests that breastfeeding offers some protection, and avoiding feeding a baby lying flat on their back may help reduce the risk. Keeping children away from smoky environments is one of the most effective preventable measures, as second-hand smoke significantly increases the likelihood of ear infections and related problems.

For outer ear infections (swimmer's ear), keeping the ears dry is the main preventive step — drying the ears gently after swimming or bathing, and avoiding inserting cotton buds or objects into the ear canal, which can damage the delicate skin and increase infection risk. If you are prone to swimmer's ear, a doctor or pharmacist can suggest measures to help keep the ear canal healthy.

When to see a doctor

  • •If symptoms do not start improving after about three days, or are getting worse
  • •If there is fluid or discharge coming from the ear
  • •If you or your child is in a lot of pain, or has a high fever
  • •For babies and very young children with signs of an ear infection — seek advice
  • •If there is swelling or redness behind or around the ear, or severe symptoms — seek urgent care
  • •If ear infections keep recurring, or hearing seems affected, which should be assessed

Frequently Asked Questions

Common symptoms include earache, a feeling of pressure or fullness, reduced or muffled hearing, fluid draining from the ear, and a fever. In young children, signs include tugging or rubbing the ear, irritability, difficulty sleeping, and being off their food. Symptoms often follow a cold. Most ear infections improve within a few days.

Sources & References

  1. 1.NHS. Ear infections.
  2. 2.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Ear Infection.
  3. 3.American Academy of Otolaryngology. Ear Infection.

LifeCheckIQ content is based on peer-reviewed research, recognised clinical guidelines, and authoritative medical sources, and is reviewed by Deborah Adotso, General Nurse, for clinical accuracy.

Related

Cold and Flu →Sore Throat →Hay Fever →Headache →

Medical Disclaimer: This tool is for informational and educational purposes only. Results are not a medical diagnosis. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. In an emergency, call your local emergency number or visit the nearest hospital immediately.