Otitis Media Causes

Acute otitis media is strongly linked to childhood anatomy, immune function and involves either bacteria or viruses. The season greatly affects the prevalence of the condition, particularly as it is much more common during the colder months when colds and the flu are in circulation.

Image Credit: Kateryna Kon / Shutterstock
Image Credit: Kateryna Kon / Shutterstock

Risk Factors

There are several individual characteristics that are known to increase the risk of acquiring otitis media. These include:

  • Exposure to smoke, usually with parents that are smokers
  • Lack of or insufficient time breastfeeding and subsequent pacifier use
  • Attending daycare from an earlier age or for more time
  • Predisposition to allergies
  • Presence of older siblings
  • Native American
  • Down syndrome

Upper respiratory tract infections caused by viruses may also lead to otitis media in some cases. Additionally, it is not unusual for an acute middle ear infection to then lead to otitis media with effusion.

Causative Organisms

Bacteria or viruses can be responsible for the growth of the infection in the middle ear and resulting symptoms. For acute otitis media, the bacteria to blame for causing the infection are most frequently:

  • Streptococcus pneumonia
  • Haemophilus influenzae
  • Moraxella catarrhalis

Pathophysiology

All forms of otitis media are usually caused by a dysfunction of the Eustachian tube. In most cases, this occurs as a result of inflammation of the nasopharynx mucous membranes, after an upper respiratory infection or exposure to allergens.

The gas in the middle ear becomes trapped due to the Eustachian tube dysfunction and is gradually absorbed into the tissues that surround the area. Eventually, this causes a negative pressure in the middle ear, which can lead to the fluid being vacuumed into the tympanic cavity in the middle ear.

It is possible for this fluid to then become infected by a virus or bacteria, particularly when it comes into contact with secretions from the nasopharynx. It is often the same virus that caused an initial upper respiratory infection that is responsible for the otitis media.

Prevention

In order to prevent otitis media, it is logical to try and reduce the risk factors that are associated with the condition. Not everything can be managed – such as racial susceptibility and preexisting health conditions – but there are several steps that can be taken to prevent it.

  • Reduce smoking in the home by parents
  • Minimize daycare attendance or choose a center with fewer attendees
  • Increase breastfeeding and use pacifiers less, particularly for the first six months of life.

Additionally, vaccinations for pneumococcal and influenza can help to reduce the risk of upper respiratory infections and the related otitis media. Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines can decrease the incidence of otitis media by 6-7% when given to infants and have the potential to benefit the public health system substantially.

Additional Information

Long-term use of antibiotics to prevent otitis media is associated with the emergence of resistant otitic bacteria. It is for this reason that preventative antibiotics are not recommended.

Zinc supplementation has been proposed as a method of otitis media prevention. However, there is no strong evidence to support this. In some circumstances, such as for young children with severe malnutrition or marasmus, this may prove beneficial.

References

Further Reading

Last Updated: Feb 24, 2023

Yolanda Smith

Written by

Yolanda Smith

Yolanda graduated with a Bachelor of Pharmacy at the University of South Australia and has experience working in both Australia and Italy. She is passionate about how medicine, diet and lifestyle affect our health and enjoys helping people understand this. In her spare time she loves to explore the world and learn about new cultures and languages.

Citations

Please use one of the following formats to cite this article in your essay, paper or report:

  • APA

    Smith, Yolanda. (2023, February 24). Otitis Media Causes. News-Medical. Retrieved on November 03, 2024 from https://www.news-medical.net/health/Otitis-Media-Causes.aspx.

  • MLA

    Smith, Yolanda. "Otitis Media Causes". News-Medical. 03 November 2024. <https://www.news-medical.net/health/Otitis-Media-Causes.aspx>.

  • Chicago

    Smith, Yolanda. "Otitis Media Causes". News-Medical. https://www.news-medical.net/health/Otitis-Media-Causes.aspx. (accessed November 03, 2024).

  • Harvard

    Smith, Yolanda. 2023. Otitis Media Causes. News-Medical, viewed 03 November 2024, https://www.news-medical.net/health/Otitis-Media-Causes.aspx.

Comments

The opinions expressed here are the views of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of News Medical.
Post a new comment
Post

While we only use edited and approved content for Azthena answers, it may on occasions provide incorrect responses. Please confirm any data provided with the related suppliers or authors. We do not provide medical advice, if you search for medical information you must always consult a medical professional before acting on any information provided.

Your questions, but not your email details will be shared with OpenAI and retained for 30 days in accordance with their privacy principles.

Please do not ask questions that use sensitive or confidential information.

Read the full Terms & Conditions.