What Is Acute Otitis Media?
1. Causes
Acute otitis media usually starts with congestion and swelling of the throat, nasal passages, and Eustachian tubes. This may occur due to a viral upper respiratory infection, such as influenza or the common cold. Allergies may also lead to an ear infection by causing nasal congestion or by causing the adenoids to swell, blocking off the Eustachian tubes in the process.
When the Eustachian tubes are clogged or blocked off, fluid in the ear cannot drain effectively from them. The buildup of fluid can provide an ideal environment for bacteria to grow, and the middle ear becomes infected as a result. The species of bacteria most often responsible for acute otitis media include Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis, and Streptococcus pneumoniae. However, AOM isn’t always the result of a bacterial infection.
