Otitis media is an inflammation in the middle ear (the area behind the eardrum) that is usually associated with a buildup of fluid. The fluid may or may not be infected. Symptoms, severity, frequency, and length of the condition vary. At one extreme is a single short period of thin, clear, noninfected fluid without any pain or fever but with a slight decrease in hearing ability. The other extreme is repeated bouts with infection, thick "glue-like" fluid, and possible complications such as permanent hearing loss. Fortunately, with early identification, serious medical complications can be controlled with medicine or surgery. However, there is one problem that nearly always occurs with all types of otitis media-fluctuating hearing loss.
Otitis Media
Earaches & Otitis Media Very nice web site that has a lot of useful information for parents or someone with concerns about an ear infection.
Acute Otitis Media Excellent site that has a large amount of information that is very beneficial for a parent, patient, or student to know. It has several pages of great easy to understand text.
McKinley Health Center
An excellent web site that has information on the definition, alternative names, causes, prevention, signs, treatments, and several other topics.
Ear Infection Quiz....Mayo Clinic Test your knowledge about children's ear infections. A short quiz that could help you learn more about middle ear infections.
Earache Good article by Dr. Ted Humphrey that explains the different types of earaches. It is short and to the point.
Medline:Otitis Media Good site that shows illustrations with a nice volume of information for patients and parents.
Health World Online Article by David Parry, MD and Peter S Roland, MD which looks at medical treatments as well as alternative medicines. I found it interesting to read.
Chronic Otitis Media ... The Merck Manual Very nice web site that has advanced information and was published in 1992. It may be out of date, but has some interesting information about perforations of the tympanic membrane.
