What is an Ear Infection (acute otitis media)?

• Earache
• Nausea
• A sharp stabbing pain
• Muffled hearing
• Ear drainage
• A feeling of fullness in the ear

In children, the symptoms are:

• Tugging at the ear
• Poor sleep
• Fever
• Irritability, restlessness
• Ear drainage
• No appetite
• Crying at night when lying down

• A fever is accompanied by a rise in body temperature above 100.4 degrees which indicates the possibility of a more serious infection, particularly in infants and young children.
• Ear infections are common in you or your kid; recurrent encounters with the condition can result in hearing loss or more serious infections.
• You or your kid may be suffering from hearing loss as a result of an infection.
• A child under the age of six months has ear infection symptoms.
• The ear discharges fluids or pus.
• Pain becomes unbearable.
• Other symptoms may include vomiting, headaches, stiff neck, sleepiness, and loss of balance.

• Age Ear infections are more common in infants and young children (between the ages of 6 months and 2 years).
• Colds Having a cold increases the likelihood of getting an ear infection.
• Allergies induce inflammation (swelling) of the nasal passages and upper respiratory system, which can cause the adenoids to expand. Adenoids that are enlarged can clog the eustachian tube, preventing ear fluids from draining.
• Chronic illnesses People with chronic diseases, particularly those with immune deficiencies and chronic respiratory disorders such as cystic fibrosis and asthma, are more prone to getting ear infections.

• Fluid in the middle ear
• Mastoiditis
• Hearing loss
• Meningitis
• Ruptured eardrum

• According to research, secondhand smoking increases the risk of ear infections.
• Allergic reactions can cause inflammation and mucus, which can block the eustachian tube and increase the probability of ear infections.
• Large adenoids may be the source of constant snoring or mouth breathing. These can aggravate ear infections.
• For children below 6 months, check the child's vaccines, especially the annual influenza vaccine (flu shot).

• Fluid samples: If the infection has progressed, the doctor may take a sample of the fluid within the ear and analyse it to see if specific antibiotic-resistant bacteria are present.
• CT scan: The doctor may conduct a CT scan of the head to detect whether the infection has gone beyond your middle ear.
• Blood tests : Blood tests can be used to assess immunological function.
• Tympanometry: This test determines how well the eardrum responds to variations in air pressure in the ear.
• Acoustic reflectometry: This test determines how much sound is reflected from the eardrum, indirectly allowing doctors to estimate the quantity of fluid in the ear.
• Audiometry Tests : If you have persistent ear infections, you may require a hearing test.

• Home treatment These treatments are effective in relieving the symptoms of a mild ear infection:
• Wrap a warm towel across the affected ear.
• Use over-the-counter (OTC) prescription painkillers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
• To ease pain, use over-the-counter or prescription ear drops.
• Take over-the-counter decongestants such as pseudoephedrine.
• Sleeping on the affected ear should be avoided.
• Medical treatment Consult a doctor if the condition worsens or does not improve. If the ear infection is bacterial, chronic, and does not seem to be improving, they may prescribe antibiotics. Although, it should be noted that antibiotics are ineffective in treating viral infections.
• Surgery A myringotomy surgery is an option. A doctor will make a small incision in the eardrum to allow fluids to drain and relieve discomfort during this procedure. The incision will heal in a few days. In situations of swollen adenoids, surgical removal of the adenoids may be recommended.