Otitis media is an infection in the middle ear, which leads to inflammation of the area behind the ear drum. It occurs when disorders such as the common cold, allergy or any other respiratory infections lead to mucus accumulation and congestion of the Eustachian tube in the middle ear, the passage responsible for regulating pressure in and draining normal secretions from the middle ear. The consequent swelling and inflammation lead to ear pains that range from being mild to severe.

Otitis media can be viral or bacterial, and is more common amongst children as they have narrower Eustachian tubes. Bottle feeding increases the risk of developing this disorder in babies. While ear infections (otitis media) are not contagious, they do occur because of the common cold or respiratory infections and these diseases can be passed from person to person.

Otitis media can occur suddenly for a few days (acute otitis media) or it may develop gradually with symptoms progressing over a prolonged time period (chronic otitis media) for up to three weeks. If left untreated, chronic otitis media could have serious complications.

When to seek expert advise

If the ear pain becomes quite severe and interferes with your or your child’s normal activities, then you must seek immediate medical advice. If the symptoms described above persist for more than a day or two, you shouldn’t ignore them and visit your doctor to get yourself examined.

Fever, discharge from the ear, and appearance of these symptoms after you or your child has suffered from a cold or a respiratory infection are signs of otitis media, and you should consult an ENT specialist at Section of Otolaryngology (ENT) The Aga Khan University Hospital to get professional medical advice.

Disclaimer

The information provided on our website is for educational purposes and not intended to be a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. You should always seek the advice of your doctor or other healthcare professional provider.