My son has a temperature of 39 and a huge pain in his ear, as well as a discharge of blood. Is it a viral or bacterial ear infection?

Question

Hello, my son woke up yesterday around 23:30 with a big pain in his right ear. Advil or tylenol helped to relieve the pain, but this afternoon the ear started to run, but it is blood that runs. My son has already had tubes in the past, which have now been removed for a year (my son is 6 and a half years old), his ear also gives off an odor. What worries me the most is the light red blood that flows. I will call my mini emergency tomorrow morning to try to get an appointment. And currently has a temperature of 39. What do you think about the fact that blood is flowing? Possibly antibiotics or drops will be needed? Can we know if the ear infection is viral or bacterial with these symptoms?

Alexandre Chagnon · Accepted Answer

Good evening ma'am, It's impossible to know if the ear infection is viral or bacterial with these symptoms, no. But one thing for sure, it's leaning more towards a bacterial infection and an emergency consultation if possible (tomorrow at the most). When the eardrum ruptures, sometimes blood will leak out (which could allow it to smell bad as well), but when the amounts of blood are significant, emergency consultation is desired. Good evening, Alexandre Chagnon, pharmacist