What are the symptoms of otitis media in infants?

Common symptoms of otitis media in infants include ear pain, ear scratching, irritability, fever, hearing loss, and ear discharge. Ear pain is one of the main manifestations of otitis media; however, since infants cannot accurately express themselves, they often show discomfort by scratching their ears or shaking their heads frequently. Irritability and poor sleep quality may also result from the pain. Fever often accompanies otitis media, especially in younger infants who are more prone to elevated body temperature. If otitis media causes a perforated eardrum, yellow or white fluid may drain from the ear. In addition, hearing loss is another symptom of otitis media, and infants may show delayed responses to sounds or have difficulty concentrating.

If you suspect your infant has otitis media, it is recommended to promptly take them to the hospital's otorhinolaryngology department for examination. After a clear diagnosis, follow the doctor's instructions for treatment. In daily life, avoid letting infants drink milk while lying flat, to prevent milk from flowing into the ear canal and causing infection. Take care to prevent water from entering the ears during bathing or hair washing, and keep the ears dry. Enhancing your infant's immunity and reducing the occurrence of colds can also effectively prevent otitis media.