Otitis is a bacterial infection of the middle ear which is common in children. The middle ear becomes inflamed and produces symptoms like fever, feeling of fullness in the ear and ear pain. It builds up fluids inside the ear leading to inflammation and pain. Common cold or any respiratory infection can cause building of fluids in the ear. Antibiotics are prescribed for managing otitis media and long term ear infection can affect the hearing ability.
Types :
- Otitis media develops due to swelling of middle ear. The term ‘media’ indicates middle and ‘otitis’ means inflammation.
- Acute otitis is of short term and occurs suddenly. Fluid gets collected in the middle ear causing ear pain and bulging eardrum.
- Chronic otitis is long term ear infection lasting for about a month or more. After an acute ear infection the fluid may still remain in the eardrum or tympanic membrane for many months if it is not properly treated. This situation can damage the eardrum affecting the hearing ability.
Symptoms :
Very often, children would develop otitis infection and may show signs of ear pain. The child would start pulling at the ear and can have difficulty in getting sleep. Infants with otitis can have problems in feeding and would cry persistently. He may act irritable most of the time due to ear pain and discomfort. Children can also develop fever and pus like discharge from the infected ear. For adults otitis can produce symptoms of ear pain, feeling of fullness in the ear and fluid drainage from the ear.
Otitis Media Causes :
Bacteria or virus is the root cause of otitis. Ear infection always follows another illness like cold or flu or respiratory infection. Swelling of Eustachian tubes (a narrow tubing running from middle ear to inner regions of throat) and accumulation of fluid inside the ear and blockage of this tube can cause otitis. Any infection on the adenoids (small pads found in the back of nose) can cause ear infection. In chronic cases, due to pressure created by effusion (fluid accumulation) a hole may develop on the eardrum affecting the hearing ability.