Ear Infection

Overview

What is Ear Infection?

Also referred to as 'Acute Otitis Media, an ear infection is an infection of the middle ear. The air-filled space behind the eardrum houses several tiny vibrating bones. The infection is more common among children than adults. In most cases, ear infections clear up on their own. However, it is important to start treatment without delay if you fail to manage symptoms. The doctor may prescribe antibiotics to clear the infection.

Some individuals are more vulnerable to getting multiple ear infections. This usually causes hearing issues and other serious complications.

Stages and Types of Ear Infection

A simple physical examination and laboratory assessment of discharge or pus can diagnose an ear infection. In some severe cases, doctors may suggest CT scans. Here are the types of ear infections:

Otitis Externa

This infection is characterized by inflammation of the ear canal between the eardrum and the outer ear. Otitis Externa is caused by mechanical damage due to excessive cleaning or exposure to dirty water. The infectious agent may be either fungal or bacterial.

Treatment Options

• Professional cleaning of the ear canal
• Eardrops containing antibiotics and steroids (bacterial infection)
• Oral antibiotics
• Ear drops containing antifungal medications and steroids (fungal infection)
• Pain-relieving medications
• Maintaining dryness of ears

Otitis Media

Otitis media is an infection of the middle ear. The infection can either be acute or chronic. It is most common among kids caused by colds and blocked Eustachian tubes. The agent of this infection can be either viral or bacterial. In some cases, the eardrum may burst, filling the ear canal with pus. Although the eardrum tends to heal by itself, doctors may suggest the following treatment. Treatment options include:

• Pain-relieving medications
• Antibiotics (for bacterial infection)
• Eardrops (for pus in the ear canal)

Serous Otitis Media

Also referred to as the 'Glue Ear, Serous Otitis Media is more common among children between six months and two years of age. The condition results from a middle ear infection characterized by the build-up of fluid and pus within the middle ear.

Treatment Options

• Antibiotics
• Surgery to insert small drainage tubes (grommets) when antibiotics fail to work

Infectious Myringitis

The condition is characterized by inflammation of the eardrum resulting from an infection from either viruses or bacteria. The eardrum develops tiny blisters in response to the inflammation. Infectious Myringitis can be very painful.

Treatment Options

• Professional rupturing of the blisters
• Antibiotics
• Pain-relieving medications

Acute Mastoiditis

Acute mastoiditis is a serious infection of the mastoid (the bone that can be felt immediately behind the ear) caused by prior acute otitis media. Symptoms include discharge from the ear characterize it, reddened and swollen skin over the mastoid, intense pain, and fever. If left untreated, acute mastoiditis may result in meningitis, deafness, blood poisoning, and paralysis of the face.

Treatment Options

• Intravenous antibiotics
• Drainage of the infected bone through a surgery

Vestibular Neuronitis

This infection is inflammation of the vestibular nerve caused due to a viral infection. The primary symptom of the condition is sudden and dramatic vertigo accompanied by nausea and vomiting. In some cases, eyes involuntarily flutter towards the affected side of the head.

Treatment Options

• Anti-nausea medications
• Medications, including antihistamines
• Vestibular physiotherapy (for compensation or retaining brain)

Herpes Zoster

Herpes zoster is a virus that attacks the cochlear nerve (the auditory nerve which sends sound to the brain as electrical impulses). The patient can experience small blisters on the outer ear and ear canal, ear pain, and vertigo. This condition also affects the primary nerve that services the facial muscles resulting in swelling and partial paralysis.

Treatment Options

• Antiviral medications
• Pain-relieving medications

Symptoms of Ear Infection

The common symptoms of ear infections include the following listed below:

• Mild pain
• Discomfort inside the ear
• A constant feeling of pressure inside the ear
• Ear drainage similar to pus
• Loss of hearing

These symptoms may occur in one or both ears and persist independently. Double ear infections (both ears) may cause intense pain.

Chronic ear infection symptoms are less noticeable than acute ear infections.

Risk Factors of Ear Infection

Here are some of the risk factors for ear infections include:

Age: Children between the ages of 6 months and two years are more prone to ear infections. This is due to the size and shape of their eustachian tubes. The children are very small, and their immune system is still in development.

Cleft Palate: Children with cleft palates have bone structure and muscle differences. These changes can make it challenging for the eustachian tube to drain.

Seasonal Factors: Infections of the ear are more common during the fall and winter. Additionally, individuals with seasonal allergies are at greater risk of ear infections, especially when pollen counts are high.

Infant Feeding: Bottle feeding, especially while lying down, leaves a child at more risk of ear infections than breastfed babies.

Group Child Care: This is one of childrens' most common risk factors. Being in group care can make them more prone to colds and ear infections as they can catch viruses and infections from other children, such as the common cold.

Air Quality: The risk of ear infections increases with exposure to tobacco smoke and high levels of air pollution.

Geography: Yes, native heritage can also be a risk factor for ear infections. The condition is more common among natives of Alaska.

Causes Factors of Ear Infection

A bacterium or virus may cause an ear infection in the middle ear. It is often a result of another illness, such as an allergy, cold, or flu. The condition leads to congestion and swelling of the nasal passages, throat, and eustachian tubes.

Swollen eustachian tubes (a pair of narrow tubes that run from each middle ear to high in the back of the throat, behind the nasal passages) can become blocked. This results in the build-up of fluid in the middle ear. This fluid is prone to get infected and starts showing symptoms of an ear infection. The eustachian tubes are narrower and more horizontal in children. This makes them more prone to ear infections.

Prevention of Ear Infection

There are several ways in which you can prevent ear infections. Here are some tips to follow:

Prevent Common Colds Teaching children to wash their hands frequently and thoroughly is essential. They should be taught to cough or sneeze into their elbow. It is advised to avoid sending children to school when ill.

Breast-fed Baby: Breast-fed babies have more immunity than formula-fed babies. It is advised to breastfeed your baby for at least six months. Breast milk is a powerhouse of antibodies that offer protection from ear infections.

Precautions for Bottle-Feeding: In case you are bottle-feeding your baby, hold your baby in an upright position. Strictly avoid giving a bottle to a baby when he/she is lying down or asleep. Feeding bottles in the crib should be strictly avoided.

Vaccinations: Speak to your doctor about appropriate vaccinations for your child. It is important that your child is given seasonal flu shots, pneumococcal, and other bacterial vaccines on time. This is very helpful in preventing ear infections.

Frequently Asked Questions