 [ Symptoms ] it is sunday and my 3 year old son has an earache should i take him to the er or an urgent care clinic [ Disease ] i have a better idea stay home there are a handful of causes of ear pain an “ear infection” is infected fluid behind the eardrum in a space called the “middle ear ” the medical term for this is “otitis media ” sometimes called “acute otitis media” to stress that it begins suddenly acute otitis media almost always occurs after a child has had nasal congestion for a few days most typically from a cold if your child complains of ear pain and has not been congested it probably is not an ear infection even if your child really does have an ear infection you do not necessarily have to rush to have it checked an antibiotic is not thefirst thing he needs in fact it may not be necessary at all so what should parents do about a weekend or middle of the night earache if the child looks miserable and sick he really should be seen right away if the pain is more mild or moderate give him a dose of pain medicine like ibuprofen or have him hold a warm heating pad against the ear if the pain subsides with these simple measures an emergency trip to the doctor or er is not necessary what happens if you delay starting antibiotics for an ear infection as long as the child is not super miserable it is ok to wait a bit ear infections it turns out usually go away on their own waiting a day or two if your child is reasonably comfortable is a good way to avoid extra costs hassle and antibiotics note that this advice is meant for children older than two who can speak and describe what they are feeling if your child is younger you should call your doctor for more specific advice on whether you ought to wait a few days before being seen on the weekend