Ear Infection, Middle Ear

Ear infections are among the most common illnesses of early childhood. Three out of four children have had at least one ear infection by age 3, according to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. The medical term for middle ear infections is otitis media. Otitis refers to inflammation of the ear, and media means middle.

Causes

Ear infections are common in infants and children in part because their eustachian tubes become clogged easily. For each ear, a eustachian tube runs from the middle ear to the back of the throat. Its purpose is to drain fluid and bacteria that normally occurs in the middle ear.

Treatments And Drugs

Antibiotic therapy

If your child is younger than age 6 months or has two or more ear infections within 30 days or chronic otitis media with effusion, the doctor may recommend an antibiotic. If the medication is effective, your child should start feeling better in a few days.

Drainage tubes

If fluid in your child's ear is affecting his or her hearing or recurrent ear infections don't respond to antibiotics, your child's doctor may suggest surgery. The most common surgery for ear infections is a myringotomy. During this procedure, which requires general anesthesia, a surgeon inserts a small drainage tube through your child's eardrum.

A wait-and-see approach

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) recommend a wait-and-see approach for the first 72 hours for children .

Exams and Tests

The doctor will ask questions about whether your child (or you) have had ear infections in the past and will want you to describe the current symptoms, including whether your child has had any symptoms of a cold or allergies recently. Your doctor will examine your child's throat, sinuses, head, neck, and lungs.

What Is Middle Ear Infection?

Middle ear infection is an infection that occurs behind the eardrum, in the middle part of the ear. While it can happen in people of all ages, it mainly affects children. The medical term for middle ear infection is otitis media.

Middle ear infection in children

Middle ear infections are most common in children. Adults can get middle ear infections, but three-quarters of all cases occur in children under the age of 10 years old. The medical term for a middle ear infection is otitis media. This means inflammation of the middle ear. Often there is no treatment and the infection gets better on its own, although your GP may prescribe antibiotics depending on the cause of the infection.

How does middle ear infection happen?
If the Eustachian tube is not working properly or is blocked by inflammation, the air in the middle ear is absorbed but cannot be replaced. This causes the air pressure in the middle ear to be less than the air pressure in the ear canal.

What is Acute Middle Ear Infection?

Acute middle ear infection is an inflammation and/or infection of the middle ear. Acute middle ear infection refers to a short and severe episode. A persistent or recurrent middle ear infection is called chronic middle ear infection.

Acute Middle ear Treatments

The goal of treatment is cure of the infection. Antibiotics may be prescribed if the infection is caused by bacteria.Nasal sprays, nose drops, oral decongestants may be used to promote drainage of fluid through the eustachian tube. Ear drops may be prescribed to relieve pain.