Otitis

Otitis

Otitis is an infection and one of the commonest conditions or ailments among children and young people.

It is caused by a virus or bacteria that gets into the middle ear from the nose or throat via the Eustachian tube.However, otitis can also affect the inner ear.

There are different types of otitis, depending on the part of the ear that is affected:

• Otitis externa
• Otitis media
• Chronic otitis media
• Secretory otitis media

Sometimes, otitis externa is called "swimmer's ear", because it can be caused by the constant contact of water with the ear.

Physical examination of the ear with the appropriate instrument, the otoscope, can discern the typical signs of otitis. For example, in the case of otitis externa, the ear is often red, while in the case of otitis media there is inflammation of the eardrum as well as redness.