Middle Ear Infection: Causes

What causes a middle ear infection?

Normally, fluid in the middle ear drains through the Eustachian tube to the throat. When the Eustachian tube becomes blocked or swollen, the fluid builds up in the middle ear. Bacteria and viruses grow and multiply easily when fluid in the middle ear does not drain normally. Conditions that cause swelling or blockage of the Eustachian tube include:

• Allergies

• Exposure to smoke, fumes, or toxins

• Upper respiratory infection

What are the risk factors for developing a middle ear infection?

Middle ear infections can occur in any age group or population, although they most commonly occur in infants and young children. A number of factors increase the risk of developing a middle ear infection including:

• Family history of middle ear infections

• Living in a cold climate

• Not being breastfed as an infant

• Perforated eardrum

• Recent illnesses, especially an upper respiratory infection or sinusitis

• Smoking and secondhand smoke

• Traveling to a different climate or altitude

Reducing your risk of a middle ear infection

In some cases, bacterial ear infections in infants and toddlers may be prevented by vaccinating them with the pneumococcal vaccine, as recommended by your health care provider.

You may also be able to lower your risk of developing other types of middle ear infections by protecting yourself and your child from colds, flu, and upper respiratory infections. Ways to reduce the risk of middle ear infections include:

• Avoiding contact with a person who has an upper respiratory infection

• Avoiding touching your eyes, nose, ears and mouth, which can transmit an infectious virus from the hands into the body

• Breastfeeding infants

• Covering your mouth and nose with your elbow (not your hand) or a tissue when sneezing or coughing

• Eating a well-balanced diet that includes a sufficient amount of fruits and vegetables

• Getting enough rest

• Not smoking, and avoiding secondhand smoke

• Using appropriate antibacterial cleaners to clean hands and surfaces

• Washing hands frequently during and after contact with a person who is sick

• Washing hands frequently with soap and water for at least 15 seconds