Related concepts:

Acute otitis media, otitis media, AOM

Introduction to ear infection:

Many parents are familiar with being awoken by a crying baby with an ear infection. Ear infections are the most common reason that children take an extra trip to the doctor, take antibiotics, or even have surgery.

What is an ear infection?

Ear infections come in several varieties. Most people use the phrase “ear infection” to refer to otitis media, an inflammation of the middle ear behind the eardrum.

Otitis media with effusion (OME) is the name for fluid in the middle ear without other symptoms. Children with OME act as if they feel well. Because it is often discovered on routine well-child checks, it is sometimes called silent otitis media.

Acute otitis media (AOM) refers to fluid in the middle ear accompanied by signs or symptoms of an ear infection, such as pain, redness, or a bulging eardrum. Children with AOM act sick (especially at night) and often have fevers.

When children are taken to the doctor because they seem to have an ear infection, the visit is usually about AOM. This article is also about AOM.

Many different species of bacteria and viruses can infect the middle ear. Some are quite aggressive; others are slow and stubborn.

The Eustachian tube is a small canal that connects the middle ear to the back of the throat. When bacteria make their way into the middle ear, they are supposed to be flushed out through the Eustachian tube. When the Eustachian tube is blocked, or isn’t functioning properly, germs can become trapped in the middle ear. This causes an ear infection.

Who gets ear infections?

Ear infections are most common in someone who already has an upper respiratory infection.

Children get ear infections much more often than adults. The highest concentration of ear infections occurs in the window between 6 and 24 months of age.

About a third of children get no ear infections; about one third have occasional ear infections (three or less in any one year); and about one third are prone to ear infections.

Children may be prone to ear infections for a variety of reasons. Some have immature immune systems; some have Eustachian tubes that are shorter, narrower, or less efficient; and some have other reasons that the Eustachian tube is more likely to become inflamed or blocked (such as allergies, GE reflux, or environmental irritants like tobacco smoke).

In the Northern hemisphere, ear infections are most common between December and March, even in areas with a mild climate. They are least common between July and September.

Ear infections are also more common among children in day care, especially if a child is exposed to more than six other children or if the child uses a pacifier.

What are the symptoms of an ear infection?

Even though ear tugging is one of the most common reasons that children are brought to the doctor, ear tugging is not a specific symptom of an ear infection.