Are all ear infections caused by bacteria?

Usually, ear infections (otitis media) are caused by bacteria. But they can be caused by microorganisms that are not bacteria, too, but that's pretty rare (hard to find literature on that, too, but let's just say, ear parasites don't sound like fun).





Water by itself does NOT cause ear infections. However, water creates a nice wet environment in the ear in which bacteria (or whatever else) can thrive. The proliferating bacteria in the water are what cause the infection.





Metal allergies are ALLERGIES, which are NOT infections. The metal exposure is topical, and does not extend to the inside of the ear. What you get is inflammation of the pinna (the outer flap of what we call "ear"), which makes the tissue more susceptible to infection. But that's technically a skin infection, not an ear infection.





Anyway, bacteria are the most common cause of ear infection, and common culprits include Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus sp.

Are all ear infections caused by bacteria?
No, I have had ear infections from water being trapped in my ear.
Reply:No, sometimes something that you are allergic to can affect your ears such as the metal on earrings. If you go swimming sometimes, the water is like all dirty and sometimes it might damage your ear a lil and you'll get some infections.
Reply:Any infection is caused by bacteria and needs anti-biotics to kill it.
Reply:An infection happens when germs like bacteria and viruses get inside the body and cause trouble. Germs can get into your ears.The goals for treating ear infections include relieving pain, curing the infection, preventing complications, and preventing recurrent ear infections. Most ear infections will safely clear up on their own without antibiotics. Often, treating the pain and allowing the body time to heal itself is all that is needed:





Apply a warm cloth or warm water bottle.


Use over-the-counter pain relief drops for ears.


Take over-the counter medications for pain or fever, like ibuprofen or acetaminophen. DO NOT give aspirin to children.


Use prescription ear drops to relieve pain.


Some ear infections require antibiotics to clear the infection and to prevent them from becoming worse. This is more likely if the child is under age 2, has a fever, is acting sick (beyond just the ear), or is not improving over 24 to 48 hours.


However, for several years there was a tendency to over-prescribe antibiotics, leading to the increasing numbers of bacteria that are resistant to these drugs. Joint guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Family Physicians are aimed at using antibiotics for ear infections when they are most needed. If the antibiotics do not seem to be working within 48 to 72 hours, contact your doctor to consider switching to a stronger antibiotic. Usually there is no benefit to more than two, or at the most three, rounds of appropriate antibiotics.

camellia