Get Ear infection information from Consumer Reports Health.

Ear infection

How common is ear infection?

Ear infection is the most common problem doctors see in young children.

Each year in the United States, more than 30 million visits to the doctor are related to ear

infection
You get an infection when viruses, bacteria, fungi or other tiny organisms get into your body. These bugs are so tiny that you can't see them without a microscope. For example, an infection in your airways causes the common cold. And an infection in your skin can cause rashes such as athlete's foot.

infections.

Source:
Rothman R, Owens T, Simel DL.
Does this child have acute otits media?
Journal of the American Medical Association. 2003; 290: 1633-1640.

¹
By the time they are 1 year old, 6 in 10 children have had at least one ear infection.

Source:
Rosenfeld R, Bluestone C.
Evidence based otitis media.
BC Decker, St. Louis, U.S.A.; 1999.

²
By the age of 3 years, 8 in 10 children have had at least one ear infection.

Source:
Ruuskanen O, Heikkinen T.
Otitis media: etiology and diagnosis.
The Pediatric infectious disease journal. 1994; 13 (supplement): S23-S26.

³
Most ear infections happen to children under the age of 2 years.

Source:
Marcy M, Takata G, Chan LS.
Management of acute otitis media.
May 2001. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality: Evidence Report/Technology Assessment 15. Available at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books (accessed on 8 October 2008).

⁴

Sources for the information on this page:

Rothman R, Owens T, Simel DL.Does this child have acute otits media?Journal of the American Medical Association. 2003; 290: 1633-1640.

Rosenfeld R, Bluestone C.Evidence based otitis media.BC Decker, St. Louis, U.S.A.; 1999.

Ruuskanen O, Heikkinen T.Otitis media: etiology and diagnosis.The Pediatric infectious disease journal. 1994; 13 (supplement): S23-S26.

Marcy M, Takata G, Chan LS.Management of acute otitis media.May 2001. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality: Evidence Report/Technology Assessment 15. Available at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books (accessed on 8 October 2008).

This information was last updated on May 12, 2009

This information is for educational use only, and is not a substitute for prompt professional medical advice. Readers should always consult a physician or other professional for advice and treatment.
© BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2009. All rights reserved.

The information on ConsumerReportsHealth.org should not be viewed as a substitute for a consultation with a medical or health professional. The information is meant to enhance communication with your doctor, not replace it. Consumers Union can not be liable for any loss, injury, or other damages related to your use of this information.

Your use of this information is subject to our User Agreement available at www.ConsumerReportsHealth.org.