What is Otitis Media?
Otitis Media is a middle ear infection behind the eardrum. There are several degrees of otitis media:
- Acute Otitis Media is a viral or bacterial infection of the middle ear, causing earache, pus, and a fever. Bacterial acute otitis media can also lead to mastoiditis and, in very serious cases, can spread to cause meningitis.
- Otitis Media with Fluid in the Ears is an infection that includes a build-up of fluid in the middle ear space. This fluid can also interfere with the Eustachian tube and cause conductive hearing loss if the fluid becomes too thick. The thick fluid is sometimes called "glue ear".
- Chronic suppurative otitis media (an ear infection with drainage from the ear canal) usually happens when there is a tear or hole in the ear drum accompanied by a bacterial infection that lasts for several weeks. This condition, which usually includes hearing loss, is more common with people who have poor Eustachian tube function.
The pain caused by otitis media can be managed using over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen. Bacterial otitis media can be treated with antibiotics. Your doctor will select the most appropriate treatment option for your.
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