Ear infection (otitis)

About Ear infection (otitis)

Otitis media is infection or inflammation behind the eardrum, most commonly seen in young children after a cold but also occurring in adults. It causes ear pain, fullness, hearing changes, sometimes drainage, and fever. Otitis externa (“swimmer's ear”) is infection of the external canal and presents with tragal tenderness and discharge. Many cases of acute otitis media resolve without antibiotics; treatment is guided by age, severity, and laterality, with amoxicillin first-line when indicated. Recurrent or persistent middle-ear effusion may require ENT evaluation.