Ear Infection

Ear Infection There are different types of ear infections. Middle ear infection (acute otitis media) is an infection in the middle ear. Another condition that affects the middle ear is called otitis media with effusion. It occurs when fluid builds up in the middle ear without being infected and without causing fever, ear pain, or pus build-up in the middle ear.

A healthy ear and an infected ear, including outer,

middle, and inner ear, showing inflammation and fluid in the ear.16

Middle Ear Infection A middle ear infection may be caused by:

 Bacteria, like Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenza (nontypeable) – the two most common bacterial causes

 Viruses, like those that cause colds or flu Common symptoms of middle ear infection in children can include:

 Ear pain

 Fever

 Fussiness or irritability

 Rubbing or tugging at an ear

 Difficulty sleeping A can make the diagnosis of a middle ear infection by looking inside the child’s ear to examine the eardrum and see if there is pus in the middle ear. Antibiotics are often not needed for middle ear infections because the body’s immune system can fight off the infection on its own. However, sometimes antibiotics, such as amoxicillin, are needed to treat severe cases right away or cases that last longer than 2–3 days.