What Is Otitis Media?
4. Causes
Ear infections are caused by bacteria that make their way into the middle ear. These bacteria can usually be dealt with using antibiotics if necessary. The most common culprits are Moraxella catarrhalis, Hemophilus influenzae, group A streptococcus, and streptococcus pneumoniae.
The infection can result from the ear itself being infected first. At other times, an ear infection is a secondary disease that was caused by something else. As mentioned, infections elsewhere can cause swelling, and this can result in the eustachian tubes becoming blocked. Even something as mild as the common cold can result in an ear infection in some cases.
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