Hi J.,
Have you tried Chiropractic? Most likely he is subluxated and which may be the cause of his irritability and discomfort. What a lot of parents end up not realizing about ear infections that most of the time a child will have one and us parents will not know it but will clear up on it's own. A child gets sick far more than an adult obviously and is severe at glance because their body is developing an immunity to it. Plus we hate to see our kids with even a sniffle. Docs are here to leviate us of our pain and not always have our best interest in mind. Most medicine does not cure, it only masks our symptoms. If a childs body is allowed to process the virus/infection and heal it their immunity to it is getting stronger. Don't get me wrong...there is always a time and place for medicine. Us parents are to quick to seek that immediate cure. Here is a link you can go to that just gives a little info about ear infections and helping parents in making an informed decision about medicating. http://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/08/science/08drug.html?ex=...
Fever: kills the bacteria & virus. Slows down reproduction of virus & bateria. Speeds up chemical reactons in the body to fight infection & get the body back to normal. Promotes the production of cancer fighting agent interferon.
Diarrhea: Elimination of poisons, bacteria & germs from your blood.(diarrhea isn't fun but shouldn't be stopped..but within reason obviously)
Couphing,Sneezing & Running Nose: expellation of excess germs & toxins. Sluffing off of the old mucous lining to replace it with a newer healthy one.
There was once a doctor who went on the Morning Show talking about over the counter medicines for kids. You should try to google it...very interesting. If you have more questions and to help you always make an informed decision, you can check out nvic.org I hope you do not think I am trying to harp on you. Only reitterating that you are a wonderful mother and just reminding you of what you already know! BEST OF LUCK!!!