An ear infection is one of the most common reasons people, especially young children, end up in a doctor’s office, and most people will have at least one in their lifetime. The term usually means acute otitis media, an infection of the middle ear behind the eardrum, though fluid can also build up without infection, and a separate condition called swimmer’s ear affects the outer ear canal instead. An ear infection can cause sudden pain that is especially distressing in a baby who cannot say what is wrong, but most cases are mild and respond well to simple pain relief or, when needed, antibiotics. This guide explains what an ear infection is, its symptoms, causes, how it is diagnosed, the treatments available, and the latest research.<\/p>\n\n
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The phrase “ear infection” actually covers three related but distinct problems. Acute otitis media is a true infection of the middle ear, usually following a cold. Otitis media with effusion is fluid trapped behind the eardrum without an active infection, often lingering after an infection clears. Otitis externa, better known as swimmer’s ear, is a separate infection of the outer ear canal, unrelated to the middle ear and needing its own treatment. The table below outlines the key differences.<\/p>\n\n