“Does my child’s ear infection need antibiotics?”

Acute otitis media (middle ear infection) is very common in children under 5 and often follows a cold. Symptoms may include ear pain, fever, irritability, and difficulty sleeping.

Some children may also have reduced hearing temporarily and may have some discharge from their ears.

In many cases, symptoms improve within a few days with pain relief and supportive care, and antibiotics are not always required.

However, medical review is important if symptoms are severe, persistent, or affecting both ears in younger children.

In some cases, children may have recurrent episodes. The British guidelines define this as 5 or more episodes in 12 months. 

As an ENT surgeon in Swindon, I assess children with recurrent or complicated ear infections to determine whether further treatment or monitoring is needed.

A private ENT consultation at Great Western Hospitals Private Healthcare in Swindon allows a thorough assessment and reassurance for parents.

If your child has frequent or severe ear infections, a specialist ENT assessment may help guide the next steps.