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Patient Instructions

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

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

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

Your health care provider 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.

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

Most types of ear infection respond well to treatment. If there is no improvement after 3 days, your doctor 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. For more specific outlooks and recommendations, see the following articles:

• Ear infection - acute
• Ear infection - chronic

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you develop symptoms of otitis.

Ear infection; Infection - ear

Updated by: Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.