Otitis

Alternative names:

ear infection; infection - ear

Symptoms:

Any of the following, or other symptoms, may indicate otitis:

• earache
• itching or other discomfort in the ear or ear canal
• drainage from the ear
• hearing loss
• ear noise or buzzing

Other symptoms that may sometimes occur:

• fever
• chills
• irritability
• malaise (feeling of general illness)
• nausea, vomiting
• diarrhea

Signs and tests:

Physical examination of the ears, with or without an instrument (otoscope), may show signs typical of otitis. For example, otitis externa often shows a red, painful external ear. Otitis media may cause redness and/or swelling of the eardrum.