Ear Infection Spinoff (kind of silly ?)

With those whose DCs have had ear infections and no fever, how did you know it was an ear infection?
As I posted, last weekend, DS had one. He ran a 102 fever most of the weekend. If he didn't have a fever, I probably would not have known. DS is ALWAYS playing with his ears (like touching them and just feeling them like they are some sort of toy..LOL) Even his birth pic in the hospital, he has one hand on his ear like he's talking on the phone.
What signs do you look for?
DS really wasn't coughing and hardly had a runny nose, yet, had the fever.

I hope this post makes sense. Im basically looking for signs of ear infection w/out a fever. LOL.

TIA

Re: Ear Infection Spinoff (kind of silly ?)

The only sign I had was a very mucusy, runny nose. She was a little crankier but not as if she was in pain...just as if her nose was getting to her.