Ear infections

Ear Infections

Ear infections (pronunciation: /ɪər ɪnˈfɛkʃən/) are a common type of infection that occur when a bacterial or viral infection affects the middle ear — the sections of the ear just behind the eardrum.

Etymology

The term "ear infection" is derived from the Old English 'ēare' meaning "ear" and the Latin 'infectio', meaning "to infect".

Types of Ear Infections

There are three main types of ear infections, which include:

Otitis Media (pronunciation: /oʊˈtaɪtɪs ˈmidiːə/): This is an infection or inflammation of the middle ear. This type of ear infection can occur in one or both ears and is most common in children.

Otitis Externa (pronunciation: /oʊˈtaɪtɪs ɛksˈtɜːrnə/), also known as Swimmer's Ear: This is an infection that affects the outer ear and ear canal. It typically occurs when water gets trapped in the ear, allowing bacteria or fungi to grow.

Otitis Interna (pronunciation: /oʊˈtaɪtɪs ɪnˈtɜːrnə/), also known as Labyrinthitis: This is an inflammation of the inner ear, usually caused by an infection.

Symptoms

Symptoms of ear infections can vary depending on the specific type of infection, but common symptoms include:

Ear pain
Feeling of fullness in the ear
Fluid drainage from the ear
Hearing loss
Ringing in the ear (Tinnitus)
Dizziness
Fever

Treatment

Treatment for ear infections typically involves managing symptoms and addressing the cause of the infection. This may include:

Over-the-counter pain relievers
Prescription medications, including antibiotics
Eardrops
Surgery in severe cases

Prevention

Prevention strategies for ear infections include:

Avoiding exposure to secondhand smoke
Keeping immunizations up-to-date
Practicing good hand hygiene
Avoiding overly crowded areas

External links

Medical encyclopedia article on Ear infections
Wikipedia's article - Ear infections

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