Serous otitis media may be either acute or chronic.

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Serous otitis media may be either acute or chronic. With acute serous otitis media (see Figure 5-24), the cause is usually a virus from an upper respiratory infection that has spread through the eustachian tube into the middle ear. It can occur spontaneously or may result from an allergic reaction. Chronic otitis media (see Figure 5-25) can develop from an acute attack, hypertrophy of the adenoids, or chronic sinus infections. Suppurative otitis media (see Figure 5-26) is caused by bacteria, which also can enter the middle ear through the eustachian tube from the nose or throat or from a ruptured tympanic membrane. This condition often follows a bout of influenza or mumps. Variations in the normal structure of the eustachian tube can predispose a person to this disease. Oftentimes an allergic response is responsible for swelling of the eustachian tube and the resulting otitis media.

Serous Otitis Media May Be Either Acute or Chronic