Inflammation of the ear (sterile or serous otitis) may occur when there is a collection of fluid in the ear that is not infected. This may be caused by overproduction of fluid by the structures in the middle ear or by blockage of the drainage system (the eustachian tube).

Pressure from fluids associated with ear infection may cause the eardrum to rupture. A ruptured eardrum can also result in ear infection by allowing bacteria or viruses direct entry to the middle ear. Ear infections are often associated with respiratory infections or with blocked sinuses or eustachian tubes caused by allergies or enlarged adenoids.

Risk factors include the following:

• Recent illness of any type (lowers resistance of the body to infection)
• Crowded or unsanitary living conditions
• Genetic factors (susceptibility to infection may run in families)
• High altitude
• Cold climate
• Bottle feeding of infants (can allow fluid to pool in the throat near the eustachian tube)

• Ear discomfort or pain
  • earache (may be severe)
  • fullness, pressure in the ear
  • in children, pulling at the ear, unconsolable crying
• Drainage from the ear
• Hearing loss in the affected ear
• Fever
• Chills
• Irritability
• Feeling of general illness
• Nausea, vomiting
• Diarrhea

• Throat, sore
• Neck pain
• Nasal discharge
• Nasal congestion
• Joint pain
• Headache
• Ear noise or buzzing

The goal of treatment is cure of the infection.

Nasal sprays, nose drops, oral decongestants or, occasionally, oral antihistamines may be used to promote drainage of fluid through the eustachian tube.

Ear drops may be prescribed to relieve pain. Over-the-counter antipyretic and analgesic medications (such as acetaminophen - oral) may be used to reduce fever and discomfort. Aspirin should not be given to children during a viral upper respiratory infection because this has been linked with Reye's syndrome.

Antibiotics may be prescribed if infection is present and the infection appears bacterial rather than viral. Oral corticosteroids may occasionally be prescribed to reduce inflammation. Applying warmth to the ears (using warm cloths or warm water bottles, for example) may relieve pain.

Keep the ears clean and dry to reduce the risk of reinfection.

Myringotomy (surgical cutting of the eardrum) may occasionally be needed to relieve pressure and allow drainage. This may or may not also involve placement of drainage tubes in the ear. Surgery to remove the adenoids may prevent them from blocking the eustachian tubes.

• Ruptured or perforated eardrum
• Chronic ear infection
• Loss of hearing, temporary or permanent
• Enlarged adenoids
• Mastoiditis
• Meningitis

Most children will have temporary and minor hearing loss during and right after an ear infection, because fluid can linger in the ear. Although this fluid can go unnoticed, it can cause significant hearing problems in children. Any fluid that lasts longer than 8-12 weeks is cause for concern -- in children, hearing problems may cause speech to develop slowly.

Permanent hearing loss is rare, but the risk increases the more infections a child has.

Call your health care provider if you or your child have symptoms that suggest acute otitis media.

Also, call if the symptoms worsen, or if new symptoms appear, especially these:

• Persistent fever
• Revere headache
• Persistent earache
• Swelling around the ear
• Twitching of the face muscles (facial tics)
• Dizziness

If severe ear pain suddenly stops hurting; this may indicate eardrum rupture.