MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Otitis

Skip navigation


Medical Encyclopedia
Other encyclopedia topics:	A-Ag Ah-Ap Aq-Az B-Bk Bl-Bz C-Cg Ch-Co Cp-Cz D-Di Dj-Dz E-Ep Eq-Ez F G H-Hf Hg-Hz I-In Io-Iz J K L-Ln Lo-Lz M-Mf Mg-Mz N O P-Pl Pm-Pz Q R S-Sh Si-Sp Sq-Sz T-Tn To-Tz U V W X Y Z 0-9

Otitis

Contents of this page:
Illustrations Alternative names Definition Causes, incidence, and risk factors Symptoms	Signs and tests Treatment Expectations (prognosis) Calling your health care provider

Illustrations

Ear anatomy

Medical findings based on ear anatomy

Middle ear infection (otitis media)

Alternative names Return to top

Ear infection; Infection - ear

Definition Return to top

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

Causes, incidence, and risk factors Return to top

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 Return to top

Any of the following symptoms may develop with otitis:

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

Signs and tests Return to top

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 Return to top

Treatment usually includes antibiotics or other antimicrobials, depending on the suspected cause of the infection.

Expectations (prognosis) Return to top

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 Return to top

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you develop symptoms of otitis.

Update Date: 1/3/2003

Updated 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.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2002 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.