An ear infection occurs when the middle ear becomes inflamed, sometimes with a build up of fluid in the area. It is sometimes known by the Latin name Otitis media. Ear infection symptoms can occur when a person has this condition. It is frequently associated with pain, however, additional medical signs are mentioned on this page.

Ear infection symptoms

When a person comes down with this illness, it can lead to several effects. Please keep in mind that this is not a complete list. Additionally, having one or more of these symptoms does not necessarily mean that a person has the condition in question.

Amongst ear infection symptoms, pressure is quite common. The area at the back of the eardrum is where this pressure forms. If inflammation and blistering occur in the eardrum, then this is known as bullous myringitis. Often coming along with the pressure is pain, which can be severe. In some serious cases which are not treated, it is actually possible for the eardrum to break, and for pus to flow into the canal of the ear. Although this sounds like a very problematic issue, normally the eardrum does heal afterward.

Causes

As with the ear infection symptoms previously described, this list of potential medical causes is not exhaustive. Streptococcus pneumoniae is a frequent underlying cause. Although this bacteria can cause pneumonia, it also leads to other conditions, such as meningitis, pericarditis, and others. Haemophilus influenzae is a common reason for developing an ear infection as far as older children and younger adults are concerned. People with a dysfunctional Eustachian tube are at a greater risk of getting this illness.

Diagnosis

This condition is diagnosed by a doctor or medical professional. An otoscope can be used by the physician to look into the ear. Additionally, an audiometer is a device that is used to check for hearing loss. It is possible that these tools may not be sufficient for differentiating between an infection of viral or bacterial origins. The patient's history may also be taken into account.

Treatment

Once the condition has received a diagnosis, the person may begin to receive treatment. There are multiple symptomatic treatments that are aimed to reduce or bring relief for ear infection symptoms. Specifically, painkillers (analgesics) are used to relieve pain. Antibiotics can be given to attempt to treat the underlying cause. Other treatment methods may also available in certain cases.