Mild Ear Infections

The middle ear is the small part of the ear behind the eardrum (a membrane separating the outer ear from the middle ear). When the middle ear gets infected, it will cause fluid buildup and germs to get trapped there.

Definition

• An ear infection, or otitis media, is defined as an inflammation of the middle ear due to infection.

Types

• There are two main types of otitis media--acute otitis media (AOM) and otitis media with effusion (OME). AOM is defined as parts of the ear being infected and swollen, as well as fluid being trapped inside the ear. OME is when the fluid and mucus stay trapped in the ear after the infection is over.

Symptoms

• The main symptom of an ear infection is an earache. The pain associated with the earache can be mild or very painful. In babies and children, a possible sign could be ear pulling. Other symptoms include fever, fluid drainage and some difficulty hearing.

Causes

• One of the main causes of otitis media is bacteria getting inside the ear and causing an infection. Another cause is viral infection. According to Web MD, the most common type of bacteria that cause ear infections are pneumococcus, Haemophilus influenzae and Moraxella catarrhalis. The most common type of viral infections are RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) and the flu. Fluid can build up in the ear when swelling from an upper respiratory infection or when an allergy blocks the eustachian tube, which blocks air from getting through. According to Web MD, "This creates a vacuum and suction, which pulls fluid and germs from the nose and throat into the middle ear. The swollen tube prevents this fluid from draining. An ear infection begins when bacteria or viruses in the trapped fluid grow into an infection."

Treatment

• There are several forms of treatment for ear infections, including home treatment, medications, surgery and tympanocentesis (inserting a needle through the eardrum to remove fluid from behind the eardrum). Other treatment includes treating allergies (especially in children) and herbal remedies. Home treatments include using over-the-counter pain medications such as Advil, Motrin or Aleve. You can also apply warm compresses to the ear to help relieve pain. Additionally, your doctor may want to prescribe medications such as antibiotics like amoxicillin. Other medications prescribed would be Tylenol, codeine and some kinds of ear drops. However, do not use ear drops if the eardrum is ruptured.

Prevention

• Web MD suggests the following when trying to prevent ear infections in children: Do not smoke (or if you do, quit), breastfeed your baby, wash your hands often, get your child immunized and keep immunizations up to date, and don't give your child a pacifier. According to Web MD, ear infections are most common in children who are exposed to second-hand smoke and who use a pacifier after the age of 12 months.