Ear infections are one of the most common reasons parents take their children to the doctor. While there are different types of ear infections, the most common is called otitis media, which means an inflammation and infection of the middle ear. The middle ear is located just behind the eardrum.
The term "acute" refers to a short and painful episode. An ear infection that lasts a long time or comes and goes is called chronic otitis media.
For links to other types of ear infections, see otitis.
Ear infections are common in infants and children in part because their eustachian tubes become clogged easily. For each ear, a eustachian tube runs from the middle ear to the back of the throat. Its purpose is to drain fluid and bacteria that normally occurs in the middle ear. If the eustachian tube becomes blocked, fluid can build up and become infected.
Anything that causes the eustachian tubes and upper airways to become inflamed or irritated, or cause more fluids to be produced, can lead to a blocked eustachian tube. These include:
Ear infections are also more likely if a child spends a lot of time drinking from a sippy cup or bottle while lying on his or her back. Contrary to popular opinion, getting water in the ears will not cause an acute ear infection, unless the eardrum has a hole from a previous episode.
Ear infections occur most frequently in the winter. An ear infection is not itself contagious, but a cold may spread among children and cause some of them to get ear infections.
Labyrinthitis (1 image)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Labyrinthitis is an ear disorder that involves irritation and swelling of the inner ear. Reviewer: Alden J. Pearl, M.D., Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Otolaryngology, State University of New York Health Science Center atBrooklyn, Brooklyn, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 08/03/2006
Strep throat (2 images)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Strep throat is caused by Group A Streptococcus bacteria. It is the most common bacterial infection of the throat. Reviewer: Hilary M. Babcock, M.D., Medical Director of Occupational Infection Control, Barnes-Jewish and St. Louis Children's Hospitals; Instructor of Medicine, Infectious Disease Division, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 09/06/2006
Sinusitis (2 images)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Sinusitis refers to inflammation of the sinuses. This is generally caused by a viral, bacterial, or fungal infection. The sinuses are air-filled spaces in the skull (behind the forehead, cheeks, and eyes) that are lined with mucous membranes. Healthy sinuses are sterile (meaning that they contain no bacteria or other organisms) and open, allowing mucus to drain and air to circulate. When inflamed, the sinuses become blocked with mucus and can become infected. Each year, over 30 million adults and children get sinusitis. Sinusitis can be acute (lasting anywhere from 2 - 8 weeks) or chronic, with symptoms lingering much longer. See also: Chronic sinusitis Reviewer: 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.Date: 07/25/2007
Nasal polyps (2 images)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Nasal polyps are small, sac-like growths consisting of inflamed nasal mucosa. Reviewer: Alden J. Pearl, M.D., Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Otolaryngology, State University of New York Health Science Center at Brooklyn, Brooklyn, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 10/24/2006
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