Ear Infections: Overview

September 07, 2008

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Ear Infections: Overview

by Jerome O. Klein, M.D.
reviewed by Lynn Cates, M.D., F.A.A.P. and Laura Jana, M.D., F.A.A.P.

When parents talk about ear infections, they usually mean infections of the middle ear. There are other types of ear infections, however, and they can be categorized by location.

Types of ear infections

Middle ear infection-- Infection of the middle ear space is known as otitis media. It occurs when there is infected fluid in the middle ear space behind the ear drum (or tympanic membrane) and is very common in the first three years of life. Acute otitis media is a middle ear infection of recent onset.

Outer ear infection-- Inflammation or infection of the ear canal is known as otitis externa, or swimmer's ear, since it occurs frequently in swimmers. Otitis externa also results when a bead or other foreign object finds its way into the ear canal.

Inner ear infection-- Infection of the internal ear is known as otitis interna or labyrinthitis. It is uncommon and usually is a complication of meningitis or a skull fracture.

How common are ear infections?
Acute otitis media is the most common reason that children need to go to the doctor other than for well-child visits. About two-thirds of all children will have ear infections. Although ear infections can develop in anyone of any age-from newborn to adult-they are most prevalent in children 6 to 24 months of age.

By their first birthday, half of all children will have had an ear infection. By the age of three, children can be divided into three groups: One-third will have had an occasional ear infection, usually with a cold; one-third will have had a number of ear infections (more than 3 and as many as 12); and one-third will have never been affected.

Risk factors for ear infections
Ear infections are not contagious, but there are several other factors that place some children at greater risk for developing ear infections. These factors include:

Attending day care

Having a family history of ear infections

Being bottle-fed instead of breast-fed

Living in a household with smokers (exposed to secondhand smoke).

Signs of ear infections
Acute otitis media often develops after a cold. Signs suggesting an acute middle ear infection vary depending on the child's age and include the recent onset (within one to three days) of ear signs such as pulling on or rubbing the ear, drainage of pus from the external ear canal, or some degree of hearing impairment. Other indicators--either alone or in addition to ear-related symptoms--include general signs of illness such as fever, poor feeding, vomiting, diarrhea, or irritability.

Problems caused by ear infections
Children suffer from middle ear infections in three main ways:

Pain or discomfort because of the expanding pus in the middle ear

Hearing impairment during the time that fluid fills the middle ear space. Some children with recurrent infections may have problems with speech, language, or intellectual development as a result of this hearing loss.

Extension of the infection to the surrounding bones, including the mastoid, and into the brain. These complications are rare when there is access to medical care, but a major problem in developing countries.

Treatment and prevention
Nowadays, many excellent antibiotics are available to treat ear infections, and several measures can help prevent ear infections and their complications.


RELATED INFORMATION

			Understanding Ear Infections: Anatomy of the Ear
			What To Expect With Treatment For Ear Infections
			Ear Infections

Created January 19, 2001
Reviewed January 23, 2001

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