Ear Infection Care for Children in Hilo & Across Hawaiʻi — Medicaid (QUEST) Accepted

An ear infection (acute otitis media) is a painful buildup of infected fluid behind the eardrum, and it is one of the most common reasons young children see a provider. Most ear infections improve, and careful, modern care avoids unnecessary antibiotics while making sure your child feels better quickly. At Ohana Care Clinic in Hilo, we diagnose and treat ear infections the right way.

What an ear infection is

Young children get ear infections easily because the small tubes that drain the middle ear are short and easily blocked, often after a cold. Fluid builds up behind the eardrum, becomes infected, and causes pain, fussiness, trouble sleeping, tugging at the ear, and sometimes fever. Most happen between 6 months and 2 years of age, and many children get more than one.

How we diagnose it

An accurate diagnosis matters, because not every earache is an ear infection. Following the American Academy of Pediatrics guideline, we diagnose an ear infection by examining the eardrum for the specific signs of infection, rather than treating on symptoms alone. This protects your child from antibiotics they do not need.

How we treat it

Pain relief comes first, since that is what bothers your child most. For some children, especially those who are older with milder symptoms, the AAP supports a period of careful watchful waiting, since many ear infections clear on their own. When antibiotics are needed, amoxicillin is usually the first choice. We will help you decide which path fits your child, and we discuss prevention for children who get frequent infections. Many follow-ups work well by telehealth.

Culturally grounded care

We care for the whole child, in the spirit of lōkahi — balance and harmony among the connected parts of life: the body, the mind and emotions, the spirit, the ʻohana (family), and our relationship with the ʻāina (land) and community. In a Native Hawaiian understanding of health, these are not separate, and neither is our care. To mālama (care for and protect) your keiki and to raise them pono (in balance and rightness), we listen to your family’s story, welcome your ʻohana into every visit, and honor the values and traditions that ground you. Offering kōkua (help given freely, with aloha) in a way that respects your family is at the heart of how we practice.

Insurance and how we see your keiki

We accept Medicare and Medicaid, including the Hawaiʻi QUEST Integration plans (AlohaCare, the Hawaiʻi Medical Service Association (HMSA), ʻOhana Health Plan, and UnitedHealthcare Community Plan), along with most commercial insurance, and we are accepting new pediatric patients in Hilo. Your child’s first primary-care visit is in person at our Hilo clinic. We see children in person for well-child exams, vaccines, and hands-on care, and we use telehealth for follow-ups and questions. Pediatric behavioral health with our mental-health providers can begin by video; care from our primary-care team starts with an in-office visit.

Common questions about ear infections

Does my child need antibiotics for an ear infection?

Not always. The American Academy of Pediatrics supports careful watchful waiting for some children with milder infections, since many clear on their own, while antibiotics (usually amoxicillin) are recommended for younger children or more severe cases. We decide together.

How do I know if my child has an ear infection?

Common signs include ear pain or tugging at the ear, fussiness, trouble sleeping, and sometimes fever, often after a cold. An accurate diagnosis requires examining the eardrum, since not every earache is an infection.

Why does my child keep getting ear infections?

Young children’s ear-drainage tubes are short and easily blocked, so repeat infections are common, especially before age 2. For frequent infections, we will talk through prevention and when further evaluation makes sense.

What insurance do you accept for pediatric care?

We accept Medicare and Medicaid, including the Hawaii QUEST Integration plans (AlohaCare, HMSA, Ohana Health Plan, and UnitedHealthcare Community Plan), along with most commercial insurance. We are accepting new pediatric patients in Hilo.

References

Lieberthal, A. S., Carroll, A. E., Chonmaitree, T., Ganiats, T. G., Hoberman, A., Jackson, M. A., et al. (2013). The diagnosis and management of acute otitis media. Pediatrics, 131(3), e964–e999. https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/131/3/e964/30912/The-Diagnosis-and-Management-of-Acute-Otitis-Media

Papa Ola Lōkahi. (n.d.). Native Hawaiian health. Retrieved June 29, 2026, from https://www.papaolalokahi.org/

This page is general health education from Ohana Care Clinic, reviewed by Donna Leonard, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, and written by George Mackel, MSN, APRN, NP-C, PMHNP-BC, CARN-AP. It is not a substitute for a personal evaluation by a qualified clinician who knows your child’s situation, and reading it does not create a provider–patient relationship. If you are worried about your child’s health, reach out to us or another licensed provider. In an emergency, call 911.

Donna Leonard, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, and George Mackel, MSN, APRN, NP-C, PMHNP-BC, CARN-AP — President & Owner