Untreated, ear infections can lead to more serious complications, including mastoiditis (a rare inflammation of a bone adjacent to the ear), hearing loss, perforation of the eardrum, meningitis, facial nerve paralysis, and possibly -- in adults -- Meniere's disease.
DHEC publishes the School and Childcare Exclusion List each year. The Exclusion List explains how long an ill child, student, school employee, or childcare employee should stay out of school or childcare, and what is needed before the child/student or employee is permitted to return.
Children Should be Supervised at All Times. Children who are in middle school or younger should have direct adult supervision. If this cannot be arranged, parents need to use good judgment in deciding if children should be left alone and for how long. Child Supervision Guidelines.