Ear problems that do not get better with antibiotic treatment

Symptoms that get worse or don't go away after several days of antibiotic treatment, or symptoms that return after antibiotic treatment has been completed, may indicate an ongoing problem.

Sometimes a different dose or type of antibiotic or a longer course of antibiotics may be needed to completely clear the infection.

Antibiotics can cause side effects such as diarrhea or a rash related to an allergic reaction. Occasionally another illness may develop while you are being treated for an ear infection. This can make it difficult to evaluate which symptoms are caused by the new illness and which are caused by a continuing ear infection.

Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS	Last Updated: February 13, 2008
Medical Review:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine Donald R. Mintz, MD - Otolaryngology
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