Otitis media; acute

Alternative names:

acute ear infection; acute otitis media; infection of the inner ear; middle ear infection

Symptoms:

• ear discomfort or pain
  • earache may be severe
  • fullness, pressure in the ear
  • in children, pulling at the ear

• drainage from the ear
• hearing loss in the affected ear
• fever
• chills
• irritability
• feeling of general illness
• nausea, vomiting
• diarrhea

Note: Symptoms may occur spontaneously, or after a cold or other upper respiratory infection.

Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease:

• throat, sore
• neck pain
• nasal discharge
• nasal congestion
• joint pain
• headache
• ear noise or buzzing

Signs and tests:

An ear inspection may show dullness, redness, air bubbles, or fluid behind the eardrum. The eardrum may bulge out or retract inward, or it may show openings (perforation). An examination and culture of fluid may show blood, pus, and bacteria.