Licensed Ontario healthcare professionals
Every assessment is reviewed by a healthcare professional licensed in Ontario, trained in health conditions prescribing.
C
Care365
Ontario Virtual Care
Ear Infection (Acute Otitis Media) Treatment Online — Ontario Virtual Care
See a licensed healthcare professional online for ear infection (acute otitis media) — no waiting room, no travel.
Most ear infections respond well to pain relief alone or a short course of amoxicillin — the assessment focuses on picking the right approach for the situation and catching the rare complication early. Acetaminophen or ibuprofen is offered for pain regardless of the antibiotic decision, and mild, uncomplicated cases in children over 6 months may be offered watchful waiting for 24-48 hours instead of an immediate antibiotic.
Licensed Ontario healthcare professionals
Same-day review
Prescriptions sent directly
CCare365
Care365 workflowComplete assessment → clinical review → prescription sent when appropriate.
Quick Self-Check
Answer a few quick questions. This isn't a diagnosis — a real clinical assessment is the next step either way.
How We Work
Your healthcare professional first checks for signs that need urgent, in-person care — an age under 6 weeks, mastoiditis, facial weakness, or a seriously unwell child. Absent those, amoxicillin is first-line, with the dose (or a switch to amoxicillin/clavulanate or cefuroxime for penicillin allergy) chosen based on risk factors for resistant bacteria like recent antibiotic use, daycare attendance, or recurrent infections. Decongestants and antihistamines aren't recommended — they haven't been shown to help.
Complete a short online assessment
Answer real, condition-specific questions — takes a few minutes, no appointment needed to start.
A licensed clinical reviews your answers
A real healthcare professional licensed in Ontario reviews your case, typically the same day — not an automated approval.
Get your treatment plan
When appropriate, your prescription is sent directly to your preferred pharmacy, with clear next steps.
Why Choose Care365?
Fast, Real Assessments
No generic templates — your answers are reviewed by a real person, typically the same day.
Secure & Private
Your information is encrypted and only seen by the clinical reviewing your case.
Prescriptions Sent Directly
When appropriate, your prescription goes straight to your preferred pharmacy — no extra trip needed.
Common Symptoms
- Ear pain, or in young children, tugging at the ear and irritability
- Fever
- Fluid draining from the ear
- Difficulty sleeping or reduced appetite
- Muffled hearing or a feeling of fullness in the ear
Treatment Options
These options may be prescribed by a Care365 healthcare professional after a real assessment — this is general information, not a recommendation to use any specific medication without one.
| Medication | Class | Route | Typical Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amoxicillin | Penicillin | Oral | 5-10 days |
| Amoxicillin/clavulanate | Penicillin + beta-lactamase inhibitor | Oral | 5-10 days |
| Cefuroxime axetil | Second-generation cephalosporin | Oral | 5-10 days |
| Acetaminophen | Analgesic/antipyretic | Oral | Per healthcare professional plan |
| Ibuprofen | NSAID | Oral | Per healthcare professional plan |
Non-medication options
- Analgesia — Acetaminophen or ibuprofen is usually sufficient to control ear pain; topical analgesic ear drops are not recommended.
- Avoid decongestants/antihistamines — Nasal and oral decongestants and antihistamines have not been shown to help AOM and are not recommended.
- Vaccination — Ensure influenza and pneumococcal conjugate vaccines are up to date — they reduce AOM incidence.
Everything in One Place
- Easy online scheduling — submit your assessment in minutes
- Real clinical review, not an automated approval
- Prescriptions sent directly to your preferred pharmacy when appropriate
- 100% virtual — no travel, no waiting room
Frequently Asked Questions
Does every ear infection need antibiotics?
Not necessarily. For mild, uncomplicated infections in children over 6 months with reliable follow-up, watchful waiting for 24-48 hours is a reasonable option per the Canadian Paediatric Society — pain relief is still offered either way.
Which antibiotic is used?
Amoxicillin is first-line. If there are risk factors for a resistant infection — recent antibiotics, daycare, or repeat infections — a higher dose or amoxicillin/clavulanate may be used instead.
What if my child has had several ear infections already?
Three or more episodes in 6 months (or four or more in a year) prompts a referral to ENT to consider tympanostomy tubes.
Are ear drops or decongestants helpful?
No — nasal and oral decongestants, antihistamines, and topical analgesic ear drops haven't been shown to help acute otitis media and aren't recommended. Acetaminophen or ibuprofen is usually enough for pain.
When should I seek emergency care instead?
Swelling or redness behind the ear, facial drooping, a stiff neck, or an infant under 6 weeks with a fever are signs of a possible complication and need urgent in-person or emergency assessment.
Ear Infection (Acute Otitis Media) Can Be Treated
Complete a real assessment online — a licensed Ontario clinical reviews your case and arranges treatment and prescription support when appropriate.
Start My Free Assessment