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How Common Is Mastoiditis in Adults?

Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison

Mastoiditis, which is an infection of the bone positioned behind the ear, most commonly affects children and usually develops because of bacteria. While it isn't rare in adults, the incidence of mastoiditis in adults isn't common either. The infection can affect people of any age and cause such symptoms as fever, swelling of the ear, especially the lobe, redness, pain and fatigue. A person with this condition may also have fluid that drains from his ear and feel abnormally irritable.

Children are far more likely to develop mastoiditis than adults, but this doesn't mean adults are immune to it. There are cases of mastoiditis in adults, but they are infrequent. When an adult does develop mastoiditis, this means a bone behind his ear, which is referred to as the mastoid bone, has become infected. Usually, this occurs as a result of bacteria — Haemophilus influenzae and Streptococcus pneumoniae are among those that are most often at fault. An adult can have an acute case of mastoiditis, which means the infection develops suddenly and lasts for only a short time, or he may develop a chronic case, which usually means symptoms develop gradually, but the condition lingers on, often for weeks or months.

Mastoiditis is more common in children than adults.
Mastoiditis is more common in children than adults.

Although cases of mastoiditis in adults are less common than in children, it may prove more common in adults who are prone to ear infections. This is because mastoiditis doesn't usually develop on its own, but instead follows an infection of the inner ear. Often, this happens when an adult has an inner ear infection and fails to seek treatment in a timely manner. In such a case, bacteria from the ear infection can move into the cells of the mastoid bone and cause infection there. Sometimes, this issue may be compounded by a cyst that prevents the ear from draining and encourages the development of a mastoid infection.

Fatigue and swelling of the ear are common symptoms of mastoiditis.
Fatigue and swelling of the ear are common symptoms of mastoiditis.

The reason a doctor is less likely to diagnose frequent cases of mastoiditis in adults as compared to children may involve the likelihood of children to develop ear infections. In general, children are far more likely to develop infections of the middle ear as well as experience reoccurring ear infections. This may be due, at least in part, to the fact that the ears of young children do not drain as easily or effectively as those of adults. Children's immune systems may also prove weaker and less stable, which can also contribute to these differences.

Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison

Nicole’s thirst for knowledge inspired her to become a TheHealthBoard writer, and she focuses primarily on topics such as homeschooling, parenting, health, science, and business. When not writing or spending time with her four children, Nicole enjoys reading, camping, and going to the beach.

Learn more...
Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison

Nicole’s thirst for knowledge inspired her to become a TheHealthBoard writer, and she focuses primarily on topics such as homeschooling, parenting, health, science, and business. When not writing or spending time with her four children, Nicole enjoys reading, camping, and going to the beach.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

burcinc

Sometimes, mastoiditis can be misdiagnosed. It requires the use of a bone scan, not MRI, to be seen. Doctors look for the appearance of liquid in the mastoid bone which is assumed to be infection. Rarely, that liquid may not be an infection, but the extension of liquid in the inner ear.

I was misdiagnosed with mastoiditis but a second scan confirmed that it isn't.

From what my doctor says, mastoiditis is very rare in adults. Mainly because ear infections or other related infections that lead to mastoiditis cause symptoms that will cause people to see a doctor. There will be pain, differences in hearing, headaches, etc. Not having or noticing these symptoms until the infection gets bad enough to go to the mastoid bone is unlikely.

It's harder for children to take notice of these symptoms and express them and they also experience more ear infections like the article said. So that's why they're more prone.

turquoise

@literally45-- I don't know, it's usually from an ear infection. Ear infections are not as common in adults, but it can be bad when it happens.

I wonder if an ear infection can spread to the mastoid bone and then heal, leaving mastoiditis behind? Because sometimes, when the mastoid infection is serious, it might not respond to antibiotics. Some people have to have surgery to get the mastoid drained or sometimes even removed.

Have you taken antibiotics recently? How was your mastoiditis diagnosed and how is your doctor planning to treat it?

literally45

Aside from an ear infection, what else can cause mastoiditis in adults?

I just found out that I have acute mastoiditis but I don't have an ear infection.

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    • Mastoiditis is more common in children than adults.
      By: Tatyana Gladskih
      Mastoiditis is more common in children than adults.
    • Fatigue and swelling of the ear are common symptoms of mastoiditis.
      By: Lisa F. Young
      Fatigue and swelling of the ear are common symptoms of mastoiditis.
    • Mastoiditis is an infection of the bone behind the ear.
      By: kocakayaali
      Mastoiditis is an infection of the bone behind the ear.
    • Symptoms of mastoiditis may include ear pain.
      By: Piotr Marcinski
      Symptoms of mastoiditis may include ear pain.
    • In most cases, treatment for mastoiditis involves the use of powerful antibiotic drugs.
      By: Monkey Business
      In most cases, treatment for mastoiditis involves the use of powerful antibiotic drugs.