Mastoiditis: Symptoms & Signs

Mastoiditis is an inflammation due to infection of the mastoid bone, which is located behind the ear. It can be a serious infection if it spreads outside of the mastoid.

Signs and symptoms of mastoiditis include

• ear pain or pain behind the ear,
• swelling of the areas behind the ear,
• fever,
• tenderness over the mastoid bone,
• fatigue,
• headache, and
• ear discharge (otorrhea) that can include pus.

Other associated symptoms and signs can include redness of the affected area and symptoms of an ear infection, such as a sense of fullness in the ear, and hearing loss.

Cause of mastoiditis

Mastoiditis is most often caused by a middle ear infection (otitis media) that goes untreated, allowing bacterial infection to spread to the mastoid bone.

Other mastoiditis symptoms and signs

• Ear Discharge (Otorrhea) That Can Include Pus
• Ear Pain or Pain Behind the Ear
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Headache
• Hearing Loss
• Redness of the Affected Area
• Swelling of the Areas Behind the Ear
• Symptoms of an Ear Infection, Such as a Sense of Fullness in the Ear
• Tenderness Over the Mastoid Bone

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QUESTION

Ear infection or acute otitis media is an infection of the middle ear. See Answer