Otitis media is an infection of the middle ear that causes inflammation redness and swelling and a build-up of fluid behind the eardrum. Anyone can develop a middle ear infection but infants between six and 15 months old are most commonly affected. It's estimated that around one in every four children experience at least one middle ear infection by the time they're 10 years old. In most cases, the symptoms of a middle ear infection otitis media develop quickly and resolve in a few days.
This is known as acute otitis media. The main symptoms include:. In some cases, a hole may develop in the eardrum perforated eardrum and pus may run out of the ear. The earache, which is caused by the build-up of fluid stretching the eardrum, then resolves. As babies are unable to communicate the source of their discomfort, it can be difficult to tell what's wrong with them.
Signs that a young child might have an ear infection include:. Read more about diagnosing middle ear infections. Most ear infections clear up within three to five days and don't need any specific treatment. If necessary, paracetamol or ibuprofen should be used to relieve pain and a high temperature. Make sure any painkillers you give to your child are appropriate for their age. Read more about giving your child painkillers. Antibiotics aren't routinely used to treat middle ear infections, although they may occasionally be prescribed if symptoms persist or are particularly severe.
Read more about treating middle ear infections. Most middle ear infections occur when an infection such as a cold , leads to a build-up of mucus in the middle ear and causes the Eustachian tube a thin tube that runs from the middle ear to the back of the nose to become swollen or blocked. This mean mucus can't drain away properly, making it easier for an infection to spread into the middle ear. An enlarged adenoid soft tissue at the back of the throat can also block the Eustachian tube.
The adenoid can be removed if it causes persistent or frequent ear infections. Read more about removing adenoids. It's not possible to prevent middle ear infections, but there are some things you can do that may reduce your child's risk of developing the condition. These include:. Avoiding contact with other children who are unwell may also help reduce your child's chances of catching an infection that could lead to a middle ear infection.
Most complications are the result of the infection spreading to another part of the ear or head, including:. If complications do develop, they often need to be treated immediately with antibiotics in hospital.
Read more about the complications of middle ear infections. A middle ear infection otitis media can usually be diagnosed using an instrument called an otoscope. An otoscope is a small handheld device with a magnifying glass and a light source at the end.
Using an otoscope, a doctor can examine the ear to look for signs of fluid in the middle ear, which may indicate an infection. In some cases, a hole may have developed in the eardrum perforated ear drum and there may be fluid in the ear canal the tube between the outer ear and eardrum.
Some otoscopes can also be used to blow a small puff of air into the ear to check for any blockages in the middle ear, which could be a sign of an infection. If the Eustachian tube the tube that connects the throat and middle ear is clear, the eardrum will move slightly.
If it's blocked, the eardrum will remain still. Further tests are normally only required if treatment isn't working or complications develop. These tests will usually be carried out at your local ear, nose and throat ENT department. During a tympanometry test, a probe is placed into your child's ear. The probe changes the air pressure at regular intervals while transmitting a sound into the ear.
A measuring device is attached to the probe to record how the drum moves and how changes in air pressure affect this movement. A healthy ear drum should move easily if there's a change in air pressure. If your child's ear drum moves slowly or not at all, it usually suggests there's fluid behind it.
Audiometry is a hearing test that uses a machine called an audiometer to produce sounds of different volume and frequency. This can help determine if your child has any hearing loss as a result of their condition.
On the very rare occasions where there's a possibility the infection has spread out of the middle ear and into the surrounding area, a scan of the ear may be carried out. This may be either a:. A CT scan takes a series of X-rays and uses a computer to assemble the scans into a more detailed image, whereas an MRI scan uses strong magnetic fields and radio waves to produce images of the inside of the body.
Most middle ear infections otitis media clear up within three to five days and don't need any specific treatment. You can relieve any pain and a high temperature using over the counter painkillers such as paracetamol and ibuprofen. Placing a warm flannel or washcloth over the affected ear may also help relieve pain until the condition passes.
Your child or you, if you're the patient should try to hold very still during this test and avoid speaking or swallowing if possible. The instrument will measure the pressure inside of the ear, then generate a tone. The tympanic membrane will reflect a certain amount of sound back into the tympanometer , which is charted on a graph called a tympanogram. If there is fluid in the ear, the tympanic membrane will stiffen and an abnormal amount of sound will be reflected.
Typically, treatment is not necessary for fluid in the ears. The fluid will usually drain on its own within a few weeks. However, if it does not, treatment will depend on several factors. Fluid in the ears can be present with or without an active infection. Antibiotics are of no use unless there is a current ear infection and will not be used.
While antihistamines are useful in helping prevent chronic sinusitis that may be impacting drainage of your auditory tube, antihistamines are not recommended for treatment of fluid in the ear.
High-risk children, including those suffering from developmental delays, may require treatment earlier. For children who do not require treatment, managing symptoms and waiting for the fluid to clear up on its own may be the best thing to do.
Even among children who require surgical intervention, full recovery is almost always achieved. These steps may be taken to prevent fluid in the ear:. Children who swim frequently and do not dry their ears adequately may get swimmer's ear, but this is a completely different condition. Fluid in your ear is a common problem, particularly for children in their early years. Whether you are an adult or a child, the fluid in your ear will likely resolve without treatment.
If your symptoms have persisted for more than six weeks or are causing significant symptoms, however, you should see your healthcare provider. Prolonged, untreated fluid in the ear can impact your quality of life and performance at school or work.
It can take up to three months for fluid in your ear to clear up on its own. If you continue to have problems, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics and look for an underlying problem that might require additional treatment. Tugging on the earlobe and shaking your head should help water flow out of the ear canal, or you can create a vacuum with the palm of your hand.
Earwax that drains from your ear is normal. This can be white, yellow, or brown and may be runny. Only a small amount should drain from the ear, though. If discharge continues or if you see signs of blood or pus, it may indicate your eardrum has ruptured.
That's not normal, and you should contact your healthcare provider. Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Allergic diseases in children with otitis media with effusion. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol. Update on otitis media - prevention and treatment. Infect Drug Resist. Tufts Medical Center.
Management of traumatic tympanic membrane perforation: a comparative study. Ther Clin Risk Manag. It means an infection behind your eardrum. This kind of ear infection can happen after any condition that keeps fluid from draining from the middle ear.
These conditions include allergies, a cold, a sore throat, or a respiratory infection. Middle ear infections are common in children, but they can also happen in adults.
An ear infection in an adult may mean a more serious problem than in a child. So you may need additional tests. If you have an ear infection, you should see your healthcare provider for treatment.
If they happen repeatedly, you should see an otolaryngologist ear, nose, and throat specialist or an otologist ear subspecialist.
The middle ear connects to the throat by a canal called the eustachian tube. This tube helps even out the pressure between the outer ear and the inner ear. A cold or allergy can irritate the tube or cause the area around it to swell.
This can keep fluid from draining from the middle ear. The fluid builds up behind the eardrum. Bacteria and viruses can grow in this fluid. The bacteria and viruses cause the middle ear infection.
These symptoms may be the same as for other conditions. If you have a high fever, severe pain behind your ear, or paralysis in your face, see your provider as soon as you can. Your health care provider will take a medical history and do a physical exam.
He or she will look at the outer ear and eardrum with an otoscope or an otomicroscope. These are lighted tools that let your provider see inside the ear.
A pneumatic otoscope blows a puff of air into the ear to check how well your eardrum moves. Your provider may also do a test called tympanometry. This test tells how well the middle ear is working. It can find any changes in pressure in the middle ear. Your provider may test your hearing with an audiogram hearing test or tuning fork.
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