| Inflammation of the middle ear is an infection caused | | | | the normal drainage of fluid from the middle ear down |
| by a germ (bacterium). It is very common among | | | | to the back of the throat. As water which is stagnant |
| children. The middle ear is an air-filled hollow between | | | | becomes foul, so there is more chance of germs |
| the eardrum and the inner ear. The Eustachian tube - | | | | building up in this stagnant situation in the middle ear, |
| an air channel between the middle ear and the nose - | | | | and a middle ear infection (acute otitis media) is the |
| usually ensures that the middle ear is ventilated and | | | | result. |
| that fluids can run out through the nose. | | | | Ear infections also can be associated with dysfunction |
| Middle ear infection most commonly occurs following a | | | | or swelling within the eustachian tubes — the narrow |
| cold. It also frequently occurs as a result of contact | | | | passageways that connect the middle ear to the nose. |
| with other children. Middle ear infection (called otitis | | | | Normally these tubes equalize pressure inside and |
| media) is an infection behind the eardrum. Ear | | | | outside the ear. But a child's eustachian tubes are |
| infections are very common and are usually painful. By | | | | narrower and shorter than those of an adult. This |
| the age of six, most children have grown out of middle | | | | makes it easier for fluid to get trapped in the middle |
| ear infections and are not likely to suffer long-term | | | | ear when the eustachian tubes dysfunction or become |
| problems. | | | | blocked during a cold. |
| Symptoms | | | | Treatment |
| In otitis media, inflammation occurs on that portion of | | | | Many physicians recommend the use of an antibiotic |
| the ear, which is directly behind the eardrum. This pain | | | | (a drug that kills bacteria) when there is an active |
| in the ear is usually of a piercing type and is not | | | | middle ear infection. If a patient is experiencing pain, the |
| attended with fever. Pus is discharged into the outer | | | | physician may also recommend a pain reliever. |
| ear. As the condition progresses, the inner ear | | | | Following the physician's ear infection treatment |
| becomes seriously affected, and hearing is | | | | instructions is very important. Once started, the |
| considerably impaired. | | | | antibiotic should be taken until it is finished. Most |
| Acute middle ear infection is most common in children. | | | | physicians will have the patient return for a follow-up |
| It is caused by a bacterial or viral infection of the fluid | | | | examination to see if the infection has cleared. |
| of the middle ear. When infection occurs in the middle | | | | Most ear infections clear on their own in just a few |
| ear, pus or excess fluid is produced. Ear infections are | | | | days — and antibiotics won't help an infection caused |
| often associated with respiratory infections or with | | | | by a virus. In fact, about 80 percent of children with |
| blocked sinuses caused by allergies or enlarged | | | | acute otitis media recover without antibiotics, according |
| adenoids. | | | | to the AAP and AAFP. If your child is uncomfortable, |
| Causes | | | | the doctor may recommend an over-the-counter pain |
| A cold or other infection of the upper airways causes | | | | reliever such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) or |
| the tubes which drain the ears in to the back of the | | | | ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others). If your child doesn't |
| throat to become swollen and filled with mucus or | | | | have drainage from the ear or ear tubes, prescription |
| catarrh. These tubes are called eustachian tubes, and | | | | eardrops containing a local anesthetic may be an |
| are the tubes we open, by yawning or swallowing, to | | | | option, too. The drops won't cure the infection, but they |
| stop our ears popping as we go up a hill or in a plane. | | | | may relieve pain. |
| This swelling may block the eustachian tubes, and stop | | | | |