For small children, the main symptoms for ear infections are irritability and inconsolable crying. If your child has an acute ear infection, they may have a fever or problems sleeping.

Other symptoms of an acute ear infection may include:

• Ear pain or earache
• Fullness in the ear
• Feeling of general illness
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Hearing loss in the affected ear
• Holding, pulling, or tugging of ears
• Irritability or bouts of crying
• Drainage from the ear, or
• Changes in appetite or sleep

An ear infection may start shortly after a child has a cold or other respiratory infection. When the middle ear becomes infected, it may fill with fluid or pus. Sudden drainage of yellow or green fluid from the ear may mean a ruptured eardrum.

All acute ear infections include fluid behind the eardrum. It’s important to consult with your healthcare provider to confirm any possible ear infection, if your child has symptoms.