Otitis media

Otitis media (also known as glue ear) is an inflammation of the middle ear, usually associated with a buildup of fluid and frequently causes an earache. The fluid may or may not be infected.

There are several kinds of otitis media:

1. Acute otitis media is an infection that produces pus, fluid, and inflammation within the middle ear. It is frequently associated with signs of upper respiratory infection, such as a runny or stuffy nose.
2. Otitis media with effusion is the presence of middle ear fluid for 6 weeks or more from the initial acute otitis media.
3. Chronic otitis media may develop when the infection persists for more than 2 weeks.

Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae are the most common bacterial causes of otitis media. Still, antibiotics are rarely effective in shortening disease duration. Tubal dysfunction leads to the ineffective clearing of bacteria from the middle ear.

Surgery is sometimes performed to insert a grommet into the eardrum to allow air to pass through into the middle ear, and thus help clearing excess fluid within.

External links

• What is otitis media?
• Acute otitis media in children