Otitis Media

What is it?

Otitis (o-TI-tis) media is an infection (in-FECK-shun) of the middle ear (the space behind the eardrum). This infection is very common in young children, but people of any age can get it. You should feel better two to three days after starting your medicine. If the ear infection is not treated, your eardrum may burst or the infection may spread. Frequent ear infections can cause life-long hearing problems. If your ear infection is being treated with antibiotics, always take them exactly as directed by your caregiver.

What causes an ear infection?

• You may get an ear infection when your eustachian (u-STAY-shun) tubes become swollen or blocked. Eustachian tubes are tiny tubes that connect the middle ear to the back of the nose and throat. Eustachian tubes drain fluid away from the middle ear. They keep fresh air flowing in and out of the ears and control air pressure in the middle ear. Fresh air and the right pressure are needed so that you can hear properly.
  
  
• When eustachian tubes become blocked, usually because of a cold or allergy, fluid cannot drain from the ear. Fluid that is trapped behind the eardrum is a perfect place for germs called bacteria (bak-TEER-e-uh) to grow. As the trapped fluid builds up, it puts increased pressure against the eardrum. If too much pressure builds up, the eardrum may burst. This is usually not a serious problem, because with time, the eardrum repairs itself.

What are the signs and symptoms of an ear infection?

• Ear pain.
  
  
• Fever.
  
  
• Trouble hearing.
  
  
• Your ear may feel plugged or full. You may have ringing or buzzing in your ear.
  
  
• Headache.
  
  
• Dizziness or loss of balance.
  
  
• Nausea (upset stomach) or vomiting (throwing up).
  
  
• You may also have fluid leaking from your ear if the eardrum has burst.

How is an ear infection diagnosed?

Your caregiver will use an otoscope (O-tuh-skop) to look inside your ears. The caregiver may blow a puff of air inside your ears. The otoscope and air help your caregiver to see if your eardrums look healthy. If your ear is infected, the eardrum may be red and bulging. A normal eardrum is able to move a small amount. If there is fluid or pus behind it, the eardrum will not move the way it normally does. A tympanogram (tim-PAN-o-gram) is another test that may be done. It can help your caregiver learn if you have fluid in your middle ear. During the test, an earplug is put into each of your ears to see how the eardrum moves.

How is an ear infection treated?

• Your caregiver will plan your treatment based on any past ear problems and the type of infection you have. Acetaminophen (uh-c-tuh-MIN-o-fin) and ibuprofen (i-bew-PRO-fin) may help stop your ear pain and fever. You may also be given eardrops to treat your ear pain. Your caregiver may or may not choose to give you antibiotic (an-ti-bi-AH-tik) medicine.
  
  
• Sometimes, otitis media does not go away easily. Your caregiver may start you on a dose of antibiotics, and then decide to give you a higher dose. You may need to try several different antibiotic medicines to make your otitis media go away. This is because your infection may be caused by bacteria that is resistant to (cannot be killed by) the antibiotic you are taking. If you are taking antibiotics, take them exactly as ordered by your caregiver. Keep taking them until the last one is gone, even if you feel better. Stopping your antibiotic before your caregiver tells you to may cause bacteria to form resistance to that antibiotic.

Care Agreement

You have the right to help plan your care. Learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your caregivers to decide what care you want to receive. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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