Ear infections and mumps question

What should I do if my son has an ear infection? I've read that most clear up by themselves without needing Antibiotics but I'm wondering what I can do to help it along. My son is a little over 6 months now and I'm not sure if he has an infection but for the last couple days I've noticed him tugging a little at his right ear. He also has a little cough, some clear wetness in his nose and is teething. I don't know if the teething is causing the symptoms or not. His next appointment is May 3rd with a new Pediatrician which is still quite a ways away. I can still take him to his current Pediatrician, however, they already know we are switching doctors and I don't think they would be very welcoming. If I have to take him then I have to. Also, do you think he could have gotten an ear infection from taking a bath in our whirpool tub? I know whirlpool tubs harbor more bacteria than normal tubs and wondered if him getting water in his ear could have caused it. Is he still too little for vitamin C or other immune boosting products? On a side note I have been giving him 1 or 2 doses of tylenol per day for the last 4 days or so to help him sleep and it's worked pretty well. I definitely think something is bothering him.

We're getting ready to travel as well, May 5th. And now with the whole mumps thing I'm wondering what I can do to keep him healthy. Does anyone know what the treatment is for an infant with mumps? I find it very interesting that doctor's and the CDC, etc preach gloom and doom with our babies and how they need their vaccinations but then when something like this happens (the mumps outbreak) the articles play it down and say not to worry, that mumps is a mild viral disease, etc, etc!! That irritates me.