Inner Ear Viral Infection

Viral infections that start in the throat or respiratory system can easily spread to the ear, causing an infection called otitis media. This condition affects all ages, but especially young children.

Symptoms

• Viral ear infections will cause children to display signs of irritability, fever and imbalance. Children also will tug on one or both ears.

Risk For Children

• Adults also suffer from viral ear infections, but children are much more prone for a couple of reasons. Their underdeveloped immune systems make them more susceptible to infections. Also, their eustachian tubes, which connect the throat to the ear, are smaller than those of adults.

Effects

• The main symptom of otitis media is significant pain. It can get much worse, however, if left untreated. For example, the viral infection can spread to the brain. Also, untreated otitis media can cause permanent hearing loss and difficulty speaking.

Expert Insight

• The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders says that researchers are trying to develop vaccines to prevent otitis media. These vaccines would prevent viral infections that lead to inner ear infections.

Significance

• The majority of children (roughly 75 percent) will experience a viral inner ear infection by the time they are 3. Half of them will have more than one ear infection, according to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders.