Treatment for                 middle ear infections (acute otitis media) involves                 home treatment for symptom relief.                 Antibiotics are prescribed in some cases.

If a child with an ear infection appears very ill, is younger than age                 2, or is at risk for complications from infection, the doctor may prescribe                 antibiotics.

In children age 2 and older with simple ear                 infections, more options are available. Some doctors prescribe antibiotics for                 all ear infections because it's hard to tell which ear infections will clear up                 on their own. Other doctors ask parents to watch their child's                 symptoms for a couple of days, since more than 8 out                 of 10 ear infections get better without treatment. Antibiotic treatment has                 only minimal benefits in reducing pain and fever. The cost of medicine and                 possible side effects are factors doctors consider before giving antibiotics.                 Also, many doctors are concerned about the growing number of bacteria that are                 developing                 resistance to antibiotics because of frequent use of                 antibiotics.

Follow-up exams with a doctor are important to check                 for persistent infection, fluid behind the eardrum                 (otitis media with effusion), or repeat                 infections.