Otitis Health Article

Definition

Otitis is a general term for infection or inflammation of the ear.

Alternative Names

Ear infection; Infection - ear

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Otitis can affect the inner or outer parts of the ear. The condition is classified according to whether it occurs suddenly and for a short time (acute) or repeatedly over a long period of time (chronic).

Specific types of ear infection include:

• Otitis externa - acute
• Otitis externa - chronic
• Otitis externa - malignant
• Otitis media - acute
• Otitis media -chronic
• Otitis media - with effusion

Symptoms

Symptoms may include:

• Chills
• Diarrhea
• Drainage from the ear
• Earache
• Ear noise or buzzing
• Fever
• Hearing loss
• Itching or other discomfort in the ear or ear canal
• Irritability
• Malaise (feeling of general illness)
• Nausea
• Vomiting

Signs and tests

Your health care provider will examine your ears and use an instrument called an otoscope to look inside them. Signs that may be seen during an exam include a red, painful outer ear or redness or swelling of the eardrum.

Treatment

Treatment may include antibiotics or ear drops, depending on the suspected cause of the infection.