Infectious Disease of the Ears

7/31/2019 Infectious Disease of the Ears

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Cesar M. Mendoza, Jr., RMT, M. Bio. Ed.


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General Information:

There are three pathways for pathogens to enter

the ear

Through the eustachian (auditory)tube, from

the throat and nasopharynx

From the external ear

By the blood or lymph


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Usually bacteria are trapped in the middle ear when a

bacterial infection in the throat and nasopharynx causes

the euctachian tube to closeAnaerobic condition in the middle ear, allowing

obligate and facultative anaerobes to grow and cause

pressure on the tympanic membrane (eardrum)

Viral infections and allergies may also close to

eustachian tube

OTITIS MEDIA infection of the middle ear

OTITIS EXTERNA- infection of the outer ear canal


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ANATOMY OF THE EAR


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Viral and Bacterial Ear InfectionDisease

Otitis Externa, External Otitis, Ear Canal Infection,Swimmers Canal.

Infection of the ear canal with itching Pain

A maldorous discharge

Tenderness, redness, swelling, and impaired hearing

Most common during the summer swimming season Swimmers ear because it often results from swimming in

water contaminated with Pseudomas aeruginosa


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EAR CANAL INFECTION


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Otitis Media, Middle ear InfectionComplication of the common cold.

Persistent and severe earache

Temporary hearing loss

Bulging of the eardrum (tympanic membrane)

Nausea, vomiting diarrhea, and fever in young children; may

rupture of the ear drum, bloody discharge and then pus from the air.

SEVERE COMPLICATIONS

Including bone infection,

permanent hearing loss and meningitis mat occur

Most common in young children (between 3 mons and 3 years of

age)


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Normal Membrane

Opaque withInflammation

Bulging Membrane

Chronic Inflammation Late, Severe OMResolving Infection


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Additional Information

Etiologic Agent:

Escherichia coli

pseudomonas aeruginosa

proteus vulgaris

Staphylococcus

rarely by a fungus, such as aspergillus


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Mode of Transmission:Contaminated swimming pool

Indigenous microflora; articles inserted in ear canal for

cleaning out debris and wax

Diagnosis:

Material from the infected ear canal should be sent to the

microbiology laboratory for culture and susceptability


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Etiologic Agent:Otitis media may be caused by bacteria or viruses

3 most common causes are

Streptococcus pneumoniae (a gram positive diplococcus )

Haemophilus influenzae (a gram positive diplococcus)

Less common bacterial causes include streptococcus

pyogens and staphylococcus aureus

Viral causes include measles virus, Para influenza virus,and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)


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Mode of Transmission:

Probably not communicable

Diagnosis:If there is a discharge from the ear, a sample should be

sent to microbiology laboratory for C&S

B- lactamase testing should be performed on isolates ofH. influenzae and S. pneumoniae


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Swimmer's Ear Overview Swimmer's ear (also called otitis externa) is a painful condition of

the visible or outer portion of the ear and ear canal (outer ear).The ear canal is a cylinder-shaped structure that extends from the

outer part of the ear, above the ear lobe, all the way to the

eardrum (tympanic membrane). The typical size of the canal is

about 2.5 centimeters in length and 7-9 millimeters in width

Swimmer's Ear Causes The skin lining the ear canal and outer ear serves as a barrier

against infection from bacteria and fungi. The ear is protected

against infection because the lining is slightly acidic. The lining isalso a physical barrier that protects against excessive moisture.

Any break in the skin lining can lead to infection, allowing

bacteria or fungi to invade the outer ear.


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The barrier can become broken and lead to aninfection in the following ways

When you attempt to clean your ears with cotton-tipped swabs or otherobjects inserted in the ear, the skin lining of the ear canal may break. Thiscan also remove the protective ear was from the ear canal.

Excessive moisture in the ear canal from showering or swimming alsoalters the acidic environment of the ear canal, and allows for the invasionof bacteria or fungi. This is the reason this condition happens mainly in

the summer months, and hence, is called swimmer's ear. Ear plugs, hearing aids, headphones, and other devices that may be

inserted into the ear canal may increase the risk of swimmer's ear.

Chemicals such as hair dyes, bleaches, and shampoos may irritate the earcanal and alter its protective properties. An infection can result.

Generally, any inflammation of the outer ear canal, such as infections,allergies, or skin conditions, can lead to swimmer's ear.


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Swimmer's Ear Symptoms The most common symptom of swimmer's ear is pain. Pain

gradually begins over a day or two. The pain almost alwaysinvolves only one ear. The pain is especially intense when theear is touched or pulled.

The ear canal may itch.

The outer ear may be red, and in severe cases the ear canal

may be swollen shut. The ear may drain. This drainage may be clear, white,

yellow, or sometimes bloody and foul smelling. Some fluidmay crust at the opening of the ear canal.

With severe swelling or drainage, the person may have

trouble hearing. Ringing in the ear (tinnitis)and dizziness or vertigo may also

be present.

Fever is generally not present. If there is a fever, it is notusually high.


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Swimmer's Ear Treatment

Avoid any further trauma to the ear. Do not attempt to remove visible

debris or drainage from the ear.

Apply heat to the ear to control the pain at home. Warmth from a

heating pad may provide some relief. Fold a towel in half and place it

between the heating pad and the ear. Limit the use of the heating pad

to short periods. The folded towel should help prevent accidental burning

of the ear if the heating pad is too hot.

If the person is not allergic to these, try a variety of over-the-counter pain

medicines such as aspirin, ibuprofen (such as Advil), or acetaminophen

(such as Tylenol).

Nonprescription ear drops are not usually strong enough to cure the

problem. Such drops are useful only for prevention of episodes after

water exposure. Ear drops used for treatment of the condition must be

obtained with a prescription from a doctor.
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Prevention Use of shower caps while bathing and earplugs while swimming will help

keep water out of the ear canal

The best earplugs are often soft balls of special wax. The wax can bepurchased at most pharmacies. Simply roll a small ball of wax in yourhands and press it into the outer ear

Homemade ear drops also help prevent swimmer's ear after waterexposure.

Make a 50:50 mixture of white vinegar and rubbing alcohol for use afterswimming or exposure to water. Apply 3-4 drops in each ear canal afterswimming. This helps dry the canal and maintain the acidic environmentof the ear canal.

Avoid placing objects in the ear that can scrape or scratch the skin of thecanal because this may cause an infection.

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Infectious Disease of the Ears