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Ear anatomy
Ear anatomy
Medical findings based on ear anatomy
Medical findings based on ear anatomy
Middle ear infection (otitis media)
Middle ear infection (otitis media)

Otitis
Definition:
Otitis is any of several disorders involving infection and/or inflammation of the internal or external ear.

Alternative Names:
Ear infection; Infection - ear

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:
Otitis can affect the internal ear (media) or the external ear (externa). Otitis is classified according to whether it occurs suddenly and for a short time (acute) or if it occurs repeatedly or persistently over a long period of time (chronic).

Specific types of ear infection include:
Symptoms:
Any of the following symptoms may develop with otitis:
Signs and tests:
Physical examination of the ears, with or without an instrument (otoscope), may show signs of otitis. For example, symptoms of otitis externa that may be seen during an examination include a red, painful external ear, while otitis media symptoms include redness or swelling of the eardrum.
Treatment:
Treatment usually includes antibiotics or other antimicrobials, depending on the suspected cause of the infection.
Expectations (prognosis):
Most types of ear infection respond readily to treatment. If there is no improvement after three days, the antibiotic regimen may need to be altered.
Calling your health care provider:
Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you develop symptoms of otitis.
Review Date: 1/3/2003
Reviewed By: Jonathan Fanaroff, M.D., Department of Pediatrics, Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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