Otitis is a medical condition in which the internal or external ear becomes inflamed or infected. For this reason, it is also commonly referred to simply as an ear infection. Otitis can last for a short period of time, in which case it is referred to as acute otitis. Alternatively, it can reoccur repeatedly or last for a long period of time. In this case, it is called chronic otitis.

There are several symptoms associated with otitis, with the most common and noticeable symptom being an earache. An earache is a pain in the ear that may be dull, sharp, or burning. Otitis may also cause itching in the ear or a general feeling of discomfort.

In addition to pain, otitis can cause temporary hearing loss. If left untreated, it can lead to permanent hearing loss as well. A person suffering from otitis may also experience buzzing or noise in the ear and notice drainage from the ear. Otitis can also lead to chills, fever, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and malaise. In some cases, a person with otitis may also become irritable.

In order to test for otitis, a doctor must use a special instrument called an otoscope in order to look inside the ear. In severe cases, however, the doctor may be able to diagnose otitis without use of the instrument. While inspecting the ear, the doctor looks for redness in the external ear as well as redness and swelling in the eardrum.

The treatment selected for otitis depends on the cause of the infection. If the infection is caused by bacteria, antibiotics are typically prescribed. If a virus caused the otitis, on the other hand, the doctor will treat the symptoms as the infection runs its course. The majority of otitis cases are caused by bacterial infections and clear up within a few days after starting antibiotic treatment.

Failure to treat otitis can lead to permanent hearing loss if the infection causes rupture. In addition, the fluids in the ear often lead to hearing loss until the infection is cleared up. Therefore, it is important to seek prompt medical attention when suffering from otitis.