How Do You Know If Your Child Has an Ear Infection?
Pediatric clues — tugging at ears, fussiness, fever — and when to visit urgent care.
Young children may not say "my ear hurts" — look for behavioral and physical clues instead.
Common signs: Tugging or pulling at the ear, increased fussiness or crying, trouble sleeping, fever, fluid drainage, balance problems, or reduced response to sounds.
After a cold: Ear infections often follow congestion. Watch for worsening fussiness or new fever a few days into a cold.
When urgent care helps: Persistent fussiness with fever, ear tugging, or poor feeding — NeuMed pediatric urgent care treats children 6 months and older.
Go to the ER for: Severe lethargy, stiff neck with fever, dehydration, or breathing difficulty.
Infants under 6 months with fever need prompt medical evaluation — call your pediatrician or seek appropriate emergency care per their guidance.
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- Flu & Strep Testing If you suspect you have Strep Throat, our medical practice at NeuMed Modern Urgent Care is here to help. Our trained providers near you provides strep throat testing and results in less than 30 minutes.
- Pediatric Urgent Care When your child is sick or injured, every minute feels like an hour. At NeuMed Modern Urgent Care + IV Therapy, we understand that you need fast, compassionate care without the chaos of the emergency room. Our pediatric urgent care services combine the efficiency of modern medicine with the warmth your little one deser
- Cold & Flu Having the cold or flu can leave you not feeling well. We at NeuMed strive to get you better fast.
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