Otitis is a general term for infection or inflammation of the ear.

Symptoms may include:

• Chills
• Diarrhea
• Drainage from the ear
• Earache
• Ear noise or buzzing
• Fever
• Hearing loss
• Itching or other discomfort in the ear or ear canal
• Irritability
• Malaise (feeling of general illness)
• Nausea
• Vomiting

Treatment may include antibiotics or ear drops, depending on the suspected cause of the infection.

Otitis can affect the inner or outer parts of the ear. The condition is classified according to whether it occurs suddenly and for a short time (acute) or repeatedly over a long period of time (chronic).

Specific types of ear infection include:

• Otitis externa - acute
• Otitis externa - chronic
• Otitis externa - malignant
• Otitis media - acute
• Otitis media -chronic
• Otitis media - with effusion

A physician at Meadowbrook Urgent Care will examine your ears and use an instrument called an otoscope to look inside them. Signs that may be seen during an exam include a red, painful outer ear or redness or swelling of the eardrum.

Most types of ear infection respond well to treatment. If there is no improvement after 3 days, our physicians may recommend a different antibiotic. In certain uncomplicated cases, a child over 6 months of age who does not have a fever may not be given medicine unless the infection continues after 48-72 hours.

When to contact a doctor

Call us if you develop symptoms of otitis.