Bilateral Middle Ear Infection

A middle ear infection occurs behind the eardrum, in the middle part of the ear. If a patient has a bilateral middle ear infection, then both ears are affected. This condition can affect people of all ages, however, it is seen mainly in children.

Identification

• A middle ear infection, also known as otitis media is one of the most common childhood conditions. A bilateral middle ear infection is usually classified in three ways: acute otitis media, which means that there is a temporary inflammation in the ears; recurrent acute otitis media, in which ear infections occur and keep returning; and chronic otitis media, a condition in which there is an accumulation of fluid in the middle ear that is persistent. There may be very short periods of time where there is no infection present.

Symptoms

• The symptoms of a bilateral middle ear infection are fever, pain in one or both ears, redness around the ears and a clear or yellow fluid draining from one or both ears. A middle ear infection can be painful at night, making it difficult to sleep.

Causes

• The most common cause of a bilateral middle ear infection is a cold or upper respiratory infection. Ear symptoms usually occur a few days after a runny nose or sore throat. Allergies are another cause of middle ear infections, due to the chronic inflammation of the nasal passages.

Treatment

• The treatments for a bilateral middle ear infection are usually antibiotics, medication to relieve pain, cold medication and allergy medication. Treating the underlying cause of an ear infection such as a cold, usually helps to resolve an ear infection.

Considerations

• It is important to seek advice from a doctor if you have the symptoms of a bilateral middle ear infection. Complications from a middle ear infection include rupture of the eardrum, brain abscess, meningitis and calcification in the middle ear.