Ear Infection Health Center

Medical Reference Related to Ear Infection

21. Ear Infections - What Increases Your Risk
    

    Some factors that increase the risk for middle ear infection (otitis media) are out of your control, such as your age.

22. Tubes for Ear Infections
    

    Ear tubes are plastic and shaped like a hollow spool. Doctors suggest tubes for children who have repeat ear infections.

23. Ear Infections - Topic Overview
    

    This topic covers infections of the middle ear (otitis media).

24. Ear Infections - When To Call a Doctor
    

    For ear infections, call your health professional immediately if your child has a severe injury to the ear, sudden hearing loss, severe pain, drainage from the ear, dizziness, or your child seems to be very sick with symptoms such as a high fever and stif

25. Ear Infections - Health Tools
    

    Health Tools help you make wise health decisions or take action to improve your health. Decision Points focus on key medical care decisions that are important to many health problems. Ear infection: Should I give my child antibiotics? Ear problems: Should my child be treated for fluid buildup in the middle ear? ...

26. Ear Infections - Symptoms
    

    Symptoms of a middle ear infection (otitis media) often start 2 to 7 days after a cold or other upper respiratory infection.

27. Tympanocentesis for Ear Infections
    

    Tympanocentesis is the removal of fluid from behind the eardrum. The doctor uses a special needle with a tube attached to collect the sample of fluid. A culture and sensitivity test is usually done on the sample of fluid. Before the test, your child may get medication to help him or her relax. Or, a doctor or nurse may apply medication directly to the eardrum to numb the area. If there is a lot ..

28. Ear Infections - Exams and Tests
    

    Middle ear infections are usually diagnosed using a health history, a physical exam, and an ear exam. With a middle ear infection, the eardrum, when seen through a pneumatic otoscope, is red or yellow and bulging. In the case of fluid buildup without infe

29. Complications of Ear Infections - Topic Overview
    

    Complications from ear infections are rare,but they can arise. Some problems that can occur include: Trouble hearing. Hearing problems are usually mild to moderate and are usually temporary. Long-lasting hearing loss is rare. However,some children may have problems learning to talk and to understand speech if they have repeat ear infections. 1 Rupture of the eardrum. If fluid continues to ...

30. Swimmer's Ear (Otitis Externa) - Topic Overview
    

    What is swimmer's ear? Swimmer's ear (otitis externa) is an inflammation or infection of the ear canal,the passage that leads from the outer ear to the eardrum. This condition is called swimmer's ear because it commonly occurs in people who have been swimming. But other people can get it too. What causes swimmer's ear? You can get swimmer's ear when bacteria grow in your ear canal. This ...