Otitis Overview
Learn About Otitis
Otitis is a term for infection or inflammation of the ear.
Ear infection; Infection - ear
Otitis can affect the inner or outer parts of the ear. The condition can be:
- Acute ear infection -- Starts suddenly and lasts for a short period of time. It is often painful.
- Chronic ear infection -- Occurs when the ear infection does not go away or keeps coming back. It may cause long-term damage to the ear.
Based on location otitis can be:
- Otitis externa (swimmer's ear) -- Involves the outer ear and ear canal. A more severe form can spread into the bones and cartilage around the ear.
- Otitis media (ear infection) -- Involves the middle ear, which is located just behind the eardrum.
- Otitis media with effusion -- Occurs when there is thick or sticky fluid behind the eardrum in the middle ear, but there is no ear infection. Also called serous otitis media.
Scotland Memorial Hospital, Inc
Mark Lavigne is an Otolaryngologist in Laurinburg, North Carolina. Dr. Lavigne and is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Otitis. His top areas of expertise are Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps (CRSwNP), Nonsyndromic Hearing Loss, Deafness Hypogonadism Syndrome, and Sinusitis. Dr. Lavigne is currently accepting new patients.
James Cornwell is a Family Medicine provider in Laurinburg, North Carolina. Dr. Cornwell and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Otitis. His top areas of expertise are Loin Pain Hematuria Syndrome, Tracheobronchomalacia, Acquired Tracheomalacia, and Hypertension. Dr. Cornwell is currently accepting new patients.
Glenn Harris is a Family Medicine provider in Laurinburg, North Carolina. Dr. Harris and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Otitis. His top areas of expertise are Glucocorticoid-Remediable Aldosteronism, Hypertension, Familial Hypertension, and Maturity Onset Diabetes of the Young. Dr. Harris is currently accepting new patients.
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Published Date: July 16, 2024
Published By: Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Chole RA, Sharon JD. Chronic otitis media, mastoiditis, and petrositis. In: Flint PW, Francis HW, Haughey BH, et al, eds. Cummings Otolaryngology: Head and Neck Surgery. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 140.
Matlock AG, Pfaff JA. Otolaryngology. In: Walls RM, ed. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 58.
Pelton SI. Otitis externa, otitis media, and mastoiditis. In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 61.