MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Infectious myringitis

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Infectious myringitis

Contents of this page:
Alternative names Definition Causes, incidence, and risk factors	Symptoms Treatment

Alternative names

Bullous myringitis

Definition Return to top

Infectious myringitis is a contagious disease that causes painful blisters on the eardrum (tympanum). It is always associated with a middle-ear infection (otitis media).

Causes, incidence, and risk factors Return to top

Infectious myringitis is caused by a viral or bacterial infection.

Symptoms Return to top

The main symptom is pain that persists for 24-48 hours.

Treatment Return to top

The general treatment is with antibiotic therapy. If the pain is severe, the blisters may be lanced and narcotics may be prescribed.

Update Date: 10/12/2003

Updated by: James L. Demetroulakos, M.D., F.A.C.S., Department of Otolaryngology, North Shore Medical Center, Salem, MA. Clinical instructor in Otology and Laryngology, Harvard Medical School. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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