Because most ear infections can clear on their own, many doctors take a “wait-and-see” approach. Kids will get medicine for pain relief without antibiotics for a few days to see if the infection gets better. Antibiotics aren’t routinely prescribed because they: won’t help an infection caused by a virus.

The symptoms of an ear infection usually start quickly and include: 1) pain inside the ear. 2) a high temperature. 3) being sick. 4) a lack of energy. 5)difficulty hearing. 6) discharge running out of the ear. 7) a feeling of pressure or fullness inside the ear. 8) itching and irritation in and around the ear.