Children's Medical Center - Health Information Pediatric Primer Ear Infections One of the most common problems pediatricians see is ear infections.
Bacteria entering the middle ear from the nose or throat are the major culprit.
When these germs multiply, fever occurs, pus accumulates and pressure builds up behind the eardrum, causing pain that ranges from mild to severe. Symptoms include ear pain, fever, irritability or, in older children, dizziness. Parents should also look for subtle signs, too, like decreased activity or appetite, or head-shaking in infants or young children. Occasionally, the pressure in the middle ear will build up to a point where the eardrum bursts, resulting in pus and blood drainage from the ear. As alarming as this seems, this generally results in a decrease in the fever and pain.