Ear Infection

An ear infection is an inflammation or infection of the ear, most commonly involving the middle ear (otitis media) or the outer ear canal (otitis externa, commonly called swimmer's ear). Middle ear infections occur when bacteria or viruses enter the middle ear space, often following a respiratory illness, and cause fluid to accumulate behind the eardrum. They are particularly common in children because the angle of the Eustachian tube in young children makes drainage from the middle ear less efficient than in adults.

Symptoms of middle ear infection include ear pain, fever, irritability in young children, difficulty hearing, and sometimes fluid draining from the ear. Outer ear infections affect the skin of the ear canal and are associated with water exposure, skin conditions, or mechanical irritation from objects placed in the canal.

Untreated or recurrent ear infections can affect hearing development in children and may lead to structural damage to the middle ear over time. Treatment may include antibiotics, ear drops, or surgical placement of ear tubes for recurrent cases.