Otitis

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Otitis
Specialty	ENT surgery
Symptoms	Mayo Clinic
Causes	Mayo Clinic
Treatment	cdc.gov

Otitis is a general term for inflammation or infection of the ear, in both humans and other animals. When infection is present, it may be viral or bacterial.^[1] When inflammation is present due to fluid build up in the middle ear and infection is not present it is considered Otitis media with effusion.^[2] It is subdivided into the following:

• Otitis externa, external otitis, or "swimmer's ear", involves the outer ear and ear canal. In external otitis, the ear hurts when touched or pulled.
• Otitis media, or middle ear infection, involves the middle ear. In otitis media, the ear is infected or clogged with fluid behind the ear drum, in the normally air-filled middle-ear space. This the most common infection^[3] and very common in babies below 6 months sometimes requires a surgical procedure called myringotomy and tube insertion.
• Otitis interna, or labyrinthitis, involves the inner ear. The inner ear includes sensory organs for balance and hearing. When the inner ear is inflamed, vertigo is a common symptom. Other symptoms in adults include pain and drainage from ear or problems with hearing.^[4] Symptoms in children can include excessive crying, touching at ears, drainage, and fever.^[4]

Treatment can range from increasing fluids and over the counter medicine to manage symptoms to antibiotics prescribed by medical providers.^[5]

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