Otitis media (or more commonly ear infection) is defined as an infection of the middle ear and is the second most common ailment in children. Although otitis media can occur at any age but is commonly seen between the ages of 6 to 24 months.

Otitis media is a global problem and is found to be slightly more common in males than in females.

80% of the children will experience otitis media during their lifetime.

Infection of the middle ear can be due to viral, bacterial or coinfection with both. The most common bacteria causing otitis media are Streptococcus pneumonia and the most common viral pathogens causing otitis media to include the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), coronaviruses, influenza viruses, adenoviruses, human metapneumovirus, and picornaviruses.

Different types of otitis media include the following:

• Acute otitis media (AOM): Defined as middle ear infection causes swelling and redness. Fluid or mucus trapped inside the ear, which causes the child to have a fever, earache, and hearing loss.

• Otitis media with effusion (OME): if the fluid (effusion) and mucus continue to accumulate in the middle ear after an initial infection subsides. a feeling of fullness in the ear and hearing loss is being experienced by the patient or child.

• Chronic otitis media with effusion (COME): even though there is no infection but fluid remains in the middle ear for a prolonged period or returns, again and again, is chronic otitis media.

Infectious, allergic, and environmental factors contribute to otitis media and the causes include:

-Cold
-Flu
-Sinus infection
-Infected or enlarged adenoids
-Drinking while laying down (in infants)
-immuno-deficiencies
-Genetic predisposition
-Vitamin A deficiency
-more than 95% of bacteria are responsible for causing otitis media such as streptococcus pneumonia, Haemophilus influenza, and Moraxella catarrhalis.
-Viral infections
-Allergies
-Lack of breastfeeding
-Passive smoke exposure
-Lower socioeconomic status

The most common symptoms of otitis media:

-Irritability without any cause
-Difficulty in sleeping or staying asleep
-Fever
-pus is coming out of the ear
-Loss of balance
-Hearing problem
-Earache

Homeopathic treatment helps in the management of the earache irrespective of any side-effects. Certain homeopathic medicine which is helpful in treating earache are:

-Belladonna
-Hepar sulph
-Chamomilla
-Pulsatilla
-Mercurius solubilis
-Silicea

For more information, you can visit WebMD and CDC.