H65-H75: Diseases of middle ear and mastoid
H66: Suppurative and unspecified otitis media
Suppurative and unspecified otitis media refer to a group of infections in the middle ear, which is the air-filled space located behind the eardrum. These conditions typically emerge from a cold, throat infection, or respiratory illness. Bacteria or viruses can reach the middle ear and cause swelling and the build-up of pus, hence the term 'suppurative'. Symptoms commonly include ear pain, hearing difficulty, drainage of fluid from the ear, sleep problems, fever, and irritability in children. If left untreated, the disease may progress to more severe conditions like hearing loss or mastoiditis, an infection of the bone behind the ear. While anyone can get otitis media, it is most frequently seen in young children.
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