A 43-year-old member asked:
What are middle ear infections?
3 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in

Dr. Robert Ostendorfanswered
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 21 years experience
Fluid or pus: ... In the middle ear. The middle ear is the space behind the eardrum seen when looking in the ear canal. They are very common in young children but less common after 4 or 5 years of age. They usually respond to antibiotics but the middle ear fliud may take several weeks to resolve even after the infection is treated. Ear tubes are placed for chronic infections that don't clear up.
5.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

Dr. Gregory Hinesanswered
Family Medicine 25 years experience
Infection: An infection of the middle ear. That is, behind the ear drum.
5.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

Dr. James Fergusonanswered
Pediatrics 47 years experience
Canal/middle/nerve: Middle ear infections affect the cave like enclosure located behind the ear drum & includes an air gap, the ear bones, walls & a drain to the throat (eustachian tube= et). The walls create mucous that should drain into the et. If the et is blocked during a cold or allergies, the mucous can build up & stray throat germs get in & feast on the mucous causing infection.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Similar questions
A 37-year-old member asked:
How easy is it to catch middle ear infections?
3 doctor answers • 8 doctors weighed in

Dr. Marina Armendarizanswered
Pediatrics 27 years experience
Ear Infection: Not very, unless there are other symptoms like cough or runny nose.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Last updated Sep 28, 2016
People also asked
Connect with a U.S. board-certified doctor by text or video anytime, anywhere.
24/7 visits - just $39!
50% off with $15/month membership
Disclaimer:
Content on HealthTap (including answers) should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and interactions on HealthTap do not create a doctor-patient relationship. Never disregard or delay professional medical advice in person because of anything on HealthTap. Call your doctor or 911 if you think you may have a medical emergency.