Ear infection

Alternative Names

Chronic otitis media, Otitis

What is Ear infection

An ear infection is a bacterial or viral inflammation of the ear that affects the middle ear, the space which is filled with air and situated behind the eardrum. It contains the tiny vibrating bones of the ear. This infection attacks humans and animals. It can be painful due to buildup of fluids in the middle ear.

Signs and symptoms

The symptoms of ear infection in children are:

• ear pain, especially when lying down
• tugging or pulling at an ear
• difficulty sleeping
• crying more than usual
• acting more irritable than usual
• difficulty hearing or responding to sounds
• loss of balance
• headache
• fever of 100 F (38 C) or higher
• drainage of fluid from the ear
• loss of appetite
• vomiting
• diarrhea

The symptoms of ear infection in adults include:

• ear pain
• drainage of fluid from the ear
• diminished hearing
• sore throat

Possible complications

Commonly, ear infections do not cause seriuos complications. Frequent infections and fluid buildup can lead to some severe complications as:

• impaired hearing
• speech or developmental delays
• spread of infection

What causes

An ear infection is triggered by a bacterium in the middle ear. It may be connected with another illness — cold, flu or allergy — that triggers congestion and swelling of the nasal passages, throat and eustachian tubes.

Prevention

You can prevent ear infection if you take the following precautions:

• try to avoid places where people smoke because it affects to eustachian tubes
• try not to catch a cold
• wash your hands regularly
• try not to touch your nose and eyes

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Treatment

Usually ear infections go away on their own without antibiotics. To relieve the pain you may:

• apply a warm cloth or warm water bottle
• use over-the-counter pain relief drops for ears
• take over-the-counter medications for pain or fever, like ibuprofen oracetaminophen. Do NOT give aspirin to children

If your condition get worse it is needed to talk to the doctor and recognize if you need antibiotics. Your doctor will also determine which medications are the most suitable for you. Commonly it is recommended to use amoxicillin, azithromycin or clarithromycin, cefdinir, cefuroxime, cefpodoxime, amoxicillin clavulanate (augmentin), clindamycin, or ceftriaxone.

If an infection does not clear up with the standard medical treatment the doctor may recommend you to use ear tubes.