Otitis

general term for inflammation or infection of the ear

Otitis means inflammation or infection of the ear. It can happen in both humans and other animals. It can affect different parts of the ear:

  • Otitis externa, also called "swimmer's ear," affects the outer ear and ear canal.
  • Otitis media affects the middle ear.
  • Otitis interna affects the inner ear.

Symptons include ear wax, ear-ache and headaches. It often affects sinuses and throat also.

Scientists have found signs of ear infections in the bones of humans who lived 15,000 years ago.[1][2]

References change

  1. "Evidence of Ear Infections Discovered in Remains of Humans Living in Levant 15,000 Years Ago" (Press release). American Friends of Tel Aviv University. May 26, 2020. Retrieved May 26, 2020.[permanent dead link]
  2. Katarina Floreanova; Efrat Gilat; Elan Koren; Hila May (May 25, 2020). "Ear infection prevalence in prehistoric and historic populations of the southern Levant: A new diagnostic method". International Journal of Osteoarchaeology. 30 (4). International Journal of Oseoarchaeology: 449–457. doi:10.1002/oa.2873. S2CID 216483121. Retrieved May 26, 2020.