What Is Otitis Media?
7. Complications
Ear infections can lead to the accumulation of fluids in the ear, even after the infection has cleared up. Severe infections can also lead to a perforated ear drum. While a perforated ear drum is likely to heal, subsequent infections make it more likely that permanent hearing loss will occur. Surgery will be needed to repair an eardrum in some cases.
If ear infections do cause permanent hearing issues, then the patient might also suffer from delays in their intellectual development. In a small number of cases, the infection can spread to other parts of the body. In some cases, this can even result in meningitis, which can be deadly.
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