Otitis media
Name(s):
Middle ear infection
Acute otitis media
Infective middle ear disease
Fluid in the middle ear
Sterile otitis
Serious otitis
Nature
A disorder involving inflammation and/or infection of the structures of the middle ear. It may occur when there is a collection of sterile fluid in the ear. This may be caused by overproduction of fluid by the structures in the middle ear. It may also be caused by blockage of the eustachian tube (the connection between the middle ear and the back of the nose/upper throat). The presence of excess fluid causes the ear to become irritated and inflamed. Symptoms are sudden earache, hearing loss, ringing in the ears, fever and fussiness in children.
Acute otitis media (acute ear infection) occurs when there is bacterial or viral infection of the fluid of the middle ear, which causes production of fluid or pus. This may be accompanied by bleeding in the middle ear. Pressure from fluids associated with ear infection may cause the eardrum to rupture. Conversely, a ruptured eardrum can result in ear infection by allowing bacteria or viruses direct entry to the middle ear. Ear infections are most common following respiratory infections, or if the sinuses or eustachian tube are blocked from allergies or enlarged adenoids.
Incidence
Ear infections occur in approximately 3 out of every 100 people. They may affect anyone but are more common in children because their eustachian tubes are shorter, narrower, and more horizontal than in adults.
Narrower
Aggravated by
Value(s)
Type
(G) Very specific problems