Answers FAQEar Infection (Otitis Media) FAQsReviewed by Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD 
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Q:Ear infection or acute otitis media is an infection of the middle ear. True or False?A:True. Acute otitis media (ear infection) describes inflammation of the middle ear, or tympanum. During an ear infection there is fluid in the middle ear accompanied by signs or symptoms of ear infection including a bulging eardrum usually accompanied by pain; or a perforated eardrum, often with drainage of pus (purulent material).
Q:Almost all children have one or more ear infections by the age of six. True or False?A:True. Ear infection is the most frequent diagnosis in sick children in the U.S., especially affecting infants and preschoolers.
Q:What is the purpose of the Eustachian tube?A:The purpose of the Eustachian tube is to ventilate the middle ear, to maintain air pressure within the ear and to drain infections. The primary function of the Eustachian tube is to ventilate the middle ear space, ensuring that its pressure remains at near normal ambient air pressure. The secondary function of the Eustachian tube is to drain any accumulated secretions, infection, or debris from the middle ear space. Several small muscles located in the back of the throat and the palate control the opening and closing of the tube. Swallowing and yawning cause contractions of these muscles and help to regulate Eustachian tube function. If it were not for the Eustachian tube, the middle ear cavity would be an isolated air pocket inside the head that would be vulnerable to every change in air pressure, and lead to an unhealthy ear.
Q:What is a risk factor for ear infections in infants?A:Bottlefeeding. Bottlefeeding is a risk factor for otitis media in infants. Breastfeeding passes immunity to the child that helps prevent acute otitis media. The position of the breastfeeding child is better than the bottlefeeding position for Eustachian tube function.
Q:Ear infections are highly contagious. True or False?A:False. An ear infection itself is not contagious. Ear infections are often the result of a previous infection of the throat, mouth, or nose that has relocated and settled in the ears. 
Q:Middle ear infections are caused by bacteria and viruses. True or False?A:True. Both bacteria and viruses are responsible for middle ear infections. The common cold, a viral upper respiratory infection, is the major cause of ear infections.
Q:What are symptoms of an ear infection?A:Ear infection symptoms generally include trouble hearing and fever; fluid drainage and dizziness and congestion in the ear. The hallmark of an acute ear infection is sudden, piercing pain in the ear. The pain may be worse when lying down, making it difficult to sleep. Other symptoms include difficulty hearing, fever, fluid drainage from the ears, dizziness, and congestion.
Q:What causes hearing loss as the result of an ear infection?A:Hearing loss may occur as a result of an ear infection because pus buildup dampens ear drum vibrations. Temporary hearing loss may occur during an ear infection because the buildup of pus within the middle ear causes pain, and dampens the vibrations of the eardrum. 
Q:Untreated ear infections can lead to complications such as meningitis. True or False?A:True. Untreated ear infections can lead to more serious complications, including mastoiditis (a rare inflammation of a bone adjacent to the ear), hearing loss, scarring and/or perforation of the eardrum, meningitis, speech and language development problems, facial nerve paralysis, and possibly -- in adults -- Meniere's disease.
Q:There is no way to prevent ear infections in children and adults. True or False?A:False. Remember that the common cold is a key cause of ear infections. Because of the highly contagious nature of the common cold, one strategy for prevention of the cold itself and subsequent ear infections is to keep cold viruses at bay. The most effective way to do this is frequent and meticulous hand washing. Other strategies to prevent acute ear infections are to ensure a child is vaccinated. Ensuring that a child receives an annual flu vaccine and is up to date with his/her pneumococcal vaccine are excellent strategies used to prevent the most common causes of ear infections. Other lines of defense against ear infections include avoiding secondhand smoke and breastfeeding your baby for the first year of life. Source quiz on MedicineNet Improve your Health I.Q. on Ear Infection (Otitis Media)back to top ↑ |
