Middle ear infection - WatsonsHealth

MIDDLE EAR INFECTION

Middle ear infection, also known as otitis media, occurs when bacteria or viruses cause inflammation in the eardrum. This is most common in children. Middle ear infections often affect children starting at the age of three.

Usually, middle ear infections get treated by themselves without any medication. However, if discomfort persists or there is fever, seek medical help.

There are many reasons why kids get middle ear infections. One is an infection in the respiratory tract that has spread to the ears. When the eustachian tube is blocked, fluid will accumulate at the back of the eardrum. Microorganisms will then grow and cause infection and inflammation.

Types

There are two forms of middle ear infections: acute otitis media and otitis media with effusion.

Acute otitis media

This type develops swiftly and is accompanied by swelling and redness within the ear at the back of and around the ear drum. Fever, pain, and hearing problems arise due to trapped fluid and/or mucous within the middle ear.

Otitis media with effusion

After an infection goes away, generally mucous and fluid will fill up the middle ear. It will cause a full sensation in the ear and may affect your capacity to hear naturally.

 

Symptoms

There are many symptoms associated with middle ear infections. Here are some of them:

Diagnosis

Your doctor will obtain a medical history and will do a physical examination. During the checkup, your doctor will examine the outer ear and eardrum with a lighted instrument referred to as an otoscope to see whether there is redness, swelling, pus, and discharges.

Your doctor may moreover do a test called tympanometry to consider whether the middle ear is working properly. For this test, a device is placed within the ear canal, altering the pressure and making the eardrum vibrate. The test measures changes in vibration which can be viewed as a graph. Your doctor will read the results.

 

Medications/Treatment

There are many ways to treat ear infections. Your physician will prescribe medication for your child’s age, well-being, and medical history. Doctors will consider the following before prescribing treatment:

  • The severity of the infection
  • The medical status of your child to tolerate antibiotics

Based on the severity of the illness, your doctor may inform you that the best method is to treat the pain and observe if symptoms go away. Ibuprofen or antipyretics may be given.

Symptoms that last for more than three days mean that your doctor may propose antibiotics. Viral infections do not respond to antibiotics.

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