What Are The Symptoms Of Ear Infection In An Infant?

Posted on Thu, 2 Oct 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 2 Oct 2014 Answered on

Sat, 18 Oct 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi,

Hope you are doing well!

My baby boy was born on 12/30/2013 ( 10 months). We noticed that he keeps putting his finger in his ear. We are under the assumption that he does that when he is feeling sleepy but we are not sure of that. How we can make sure that he does not have any ear infections. Please suggest

Answered by Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (55 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Could be wax in ears

Detailed Answer:
Hi....I am fine. Hope you are doing well too.

Ear infection otherwise called otitis media causes severe pain and ear discharge. It is usually associated with high fever and would usually be preceded by cough and cold.

As none if the above mentioned features are present in your son, I don't think its an ear infection. I strongly feel that it could be wax in ears which is irritating him.

I suggest you consult your pediatrician, get otoscopy done and get a de-waxing prescribed.
Regards - Dr. Sumanth

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar