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If you’re an adult with an ear infection, it’s a good idea to pay close attention to your symptoms and talk with your doctor.
An ear infection (sometimes called acute otitis media) is an infection of the middle ear, the air-filled space behind the eardrum that contains the tiny vibrating bones of the ear. Children are more likely than adults to get ear infections.
A middle-ear infection is an infection behind your eardrum. This kind of ear infection can happen after any condition that keeps fluid from draining from the middle ear. These conditions include allergies, a cold, a sore throat, or a respiratory infection.
Having an ear infection as an adult can be painful and interfere with your ability to function. Some ear infections will clear up on their own, but others need treatment. You should talk to your provider if you think you have an ear infection.
Adults can get ear infections from viral upper respiratory infections or bacteria. Staying up to date on your vaccinations, washing your hands regularly, and disinfecting earbuds and hearing aids can all help prevent ear infections.
The diagnosis of "ear infection" is generally shorthand for acute otitis media. Your doctor likely makes this diagnosis if he or she sees signs of fluid in the middle ear, if there are signs or symptoms of an infection, and if symptoms started relatively suddenly.
In this article, you will learn the potential causes of an ear infection in adults, how to know if the problem is serious, and what to do about the pain.
Ear infections in adults are typically due to germs, such as viruses, fungus, or bacteria. In rare cases, people with weakened immune systems or inflammation in the structures of the ear...
Causes and risk factors. Complications. Treatment. Seeking medical help. Diagnosis. Prevention. Experiencing inner ear discomfort or constant pressure, pus drainage, or hearing loss may be...
Overview. Viruses and bacteria can infect undrained fluid inside your middle ear, causing an ear infection. What is an ear infection (acute otitis media)? An ear infection, also called acute otitis media, is a sudden infection in your middle ear. The middle ear is the air-filled space between your eardrum and inner ear.