What are the symptoms of a chronic ear infection?
Sometimes a person has an ear infection several times, and doctors call it a chronic or recurring infection. In a large percentage of clinical cases, a virus is the cause, although sometimes bacteria are the culprit.
There are three types of ear infections, namely:
- Acute otitis media;
- Otitis media with discharge;
- Chronic otitis media with discharge.
Symptoms of an acute ear infection include:
- Earache;
- Hearing problems;
- High fever;
- Nausea or vomiting;
- Discharge from the ear;
- Irritability and frequent crying in children, as well as a small child touching the affected ear.
Chronic ear infections rarely cause symptoms. However, long-term infections are characterized by hearing problems.
Other possible symptoms include:
- Difficulty understanding speech, resulting in delayed responses or reactions;
- Problems speaking or reading;
- Balance problems;
- Decreased concentration.
- The infection is chronic if it lasts more than 3 months.
Ear infections are caused by:
- Bacterial infection;
- Cold;
- Flu.
- Risk factors include:
- Previous upper respiratory tract infection;
- Cleft palate;
- Family history of ear infections.
Source:
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322913
