Types of Ear Infections

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), there are three main types of ear infections. They include: acute otitis media, otitis media with effusion, and otitis externa (also known as swimmer's ear).

Acute Otitis Media

This type of ear infection may respond to antibiotic treatment. It is often painful. It can have the following symptoms: redness of the eardrum, pus in the ear, and fever. Signs a child has this type of ear infection may include: pulling on or holding the ear; irritability; trouble sleeping; and complaining of ear pain.

Though antibiotics may help cure this type of infection, they aren't always necessary. Your doctor or health care provider can tell you whether or not an antibiotic will help with your child's case of acute otitis media.

Otitis Media with Effusion

This type of ear infection is the result of a build up of fluid in the middle ear. It usually doesn't cause pain, fever, or the other symptoms of acute otitis media. In general, it is a painless ear infection.

According to the CDC, this type of infection generally doesn't respond to antibiotics. It is often brought on by viral upper respiratory infections, environmental irritants (smog, cigarette smoke, etc.), or allergies.

Time is generally the prescribed treatment for otitis media with effusion, as it almost always clears up on its own.

Otitis Externa (Swimmer's Ear)

This type of infection generally requires antibiotic treatment. It is very painful and the pain may intensify if the ear is touched or when the head is moved.

The infection in this type is generally focused in the outer ear canal. The ear may also drain pus in this type as well as acute otitis media.

Otitis externa infections are often caused by the germ Pseudomonas aeruginosa . This germ is found in the water and soil, and it can live in pools as well. Adequate pool chemical treatment will get rid of the germ from the pool or hot tub. Drying the ears after swimming can also decrease the risk of getting otitis externa.

Since swimmer's ear and acute otitis media have similar symptoms, a doctor visit is probably needed to determine what type your child's ear infection is and what treatment is necessary. If you or your child caught swimmer's ear at a public pool, you should inform the pool management so that they can treat the water appropriately to keep your family and others from catching the infection again.

Sources:

"Swimmers Ear" Otitis Externa, http://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/swimming/rwi/illnesses/swimmers-ear.html

Ear Infections, http://www.cdc.gov/getsmart/antibiotic-use/URI/ear-infection.html