Study Finds COVID-19 Virus Lingers in the Ear for Up to a Month Post-Infection

A recent study has uncovered that the SARS-CoV-2 virus, responsible for COVID-19, can remain in the middle ear for up to a month following infection, serving as a quiet haven for the virus.

Published in the American Journal of Otolaryngology, the research suggests a possible connection between COVID-19 infection and the development of Otitis Media with Effusion (OME) in patients after experiencing the Omicron variant.

OME involves the accumulation of fluid, which can be thick or sticky, in the middle ear, often following a cold, sore throat, or upper respiratory infection. This condition can lead to temporary hearing loss and is most commonly seen in children aged 3 to 7 years.

Chengzhou Han, associated with Wuxi Huishan District People’s Hospital in China and a contributor to the study, stated, “Our study illuminates the potential impacts of COVID-19 on the middle ear, suggesting a correlation between the presence of SARS-CoV-2 and the development of OME.”

Han further noted, “With the virus identifiable in the middle ear up to a month after an Omicron infection, there’s a potential need to revise treatment approaches for OME and a heightened risk of its recurrence, highlighting the importance of attentiveness among otolaryngologists.”

The research carried out from January to June 2023, involved 23 patients aged 32 to 84 years who developed OME following infection with the Omicron variant, with 21 of them showing symptoms in one ear.

The average time from infection to the collection of samples was 21 days. Fluid was present in 88% of the examined ears, and SARS-CoV-2 was detected in 12% of the samples, with cycle threshold values ranging from 25.65 to 33.30.

The study concludes, “Our findings present strong evidence of a potential otological effect of OME post-COVID-19 infection, highlighting a probable association between SARS-CoV-2 infection and the onset of OME, thereby underlining the varied effects of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.”