Ear Infection and Otitis Media Infections: Virus

Abstract

Acute middle ear infection or acute otitis media (AOM) is one of the most common infectious diseases. AOM occurs as a complication of viral upper respiratory tract infection. Any respiratory virus that can cause upper respiratory infection can initiate the development of AOM, but some viruses seem to be more prone to cause AOM. Viral respiratory infection initiates the development of AOM and enhance the entry of the colonized bacteria and viruses from the nasopharynx to the middle ear. The presence of respiratory viruses is not enough for the development of AOM; viral replication and the symptoms caused by the viral infection are also necessary.