Ear infections, also called otitis, affect children more than adults, but can strike at any age. Usually mild and short-lived, these infections are not contagious, although some people develop recurrent or chronic ear infections.
Types
The ear contains three main areas, the outer, middle and inner ear, and all three can become infected. These infections are called otitis extrena, otitis media and otitis interna, respectively.
While outer ear infections and inner ear infections are possible, most ear infections involve the middle ear. These middle ear infections are the most common illness in children, according to the Nemours Foundation. They affect over 75 percent of all kids under 3 years old. Swimmer's ear is the common name for otitis externa, another common type of ear infection. Inner ear infections are rare and typically affect balance.
Causes
Middle and inner ear infections develop because of viral infections such as a cold or flu that travel through the sinuses and into the ear. Outer ear infections develop when bacteria enters a break in the skin inside the outer ear canal, often caused when excess water breaks down the delicate skin there.
Children are more prone to ear infections because their Eustachian tubes are shorter, thinner and lie flatter than those of adults, allowing better access to viruses and bacteria. The Eustachian tubes of children are also more prone to blockage by adenoid glands in the back of the throat, which are larger and more prone to swelling in kids than in adults. The immature immune systems of children and babies also make them more likely to catch respiratory diseases that can lead to an ear infection.
Symptoms
Ear pain is the most common symptom associated with an ear infection. In babies and small children, this may exhibit itself as increased irritability, crying, and difficulty sleeping or eating, or pulling on the affected ear. Discharge of pus or fluid may also occur, especially for otitis externa or when the eardrum bursts to release built-up fluid from otitis media. Hearing loss can be another sign of an ear infection. Balance problems may indicate an inner ear infection.
Treatment
Most middle ear infections clear up without treatment within about 72 hours, so no treatment is necessary. Otitis externa may last 7 to 10 days. Over-the-counter pain medication can be taken to help relieve the symptoms of an ear infection. Placing a warm compress over the ear can also help ease the pain.
If the infection is determined to be bacterial in origin or if the affected person is under 6 months old, antibiotics are typically prescribed. For long lasting or chronic ear infections, surgery can be performed to place a tube into the eardrum to drain the ear.
Prevention
Since cigarette smoke can aggravate the ear canal and raise the risk of otitis, children should be kept away from secondhand smoke. Avoid colds and other infections by washing hands, keep up to date on vaccinations and stay away from anyone who is ill. According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, breast feeding may help prevent otitis media in babies.
