What is it?
Ear infection happens when fluid builds up behind the ear drum. This is the middle part of your ear. It often starts due to a simple cold. It is very common in children but can also affect adults. It can be very painful. If you have an ear infection, you may have a fever, headache and trouble hearing. Most ear infections get better quickly on their own.
Sometimes the infection clears, but the fluid stays in the middle ear. If the fluid doesn't clear on its own, your hearing can be affected. See your GP if you or your child still can’t hear well 3 months after an ear infection.