What is Otitis Media (Middle Ear Infection)?Otitis media is an infection of the middle ear. There are two major types of otitis media: Show
Otitis media is diagnosed by your doctor by taking a history and doing an examination of the ear canal. Acute otitis media is defined by the following:
Otitis media with effusion is defined by the following:
Statistics1 in 10 children suffer from otitis media annually. This is 10 times the amount of adults who suffer from the same condition annually. Otitis media is one of the most common reasons for children below the age of 4 with a fever to visit a general practitioner. It composes 8% of all childhood disease, and accounts for 1.3% of presentations to general practice. Chronic otitis media with effusion interferes with the hearing of approximately 5% of 5 year olds. Risk FactorsPredisposing factors for otitis media are:
ProgressionIn acute otitis media, usually you start with the symptoms of a common cold (e.g. runny nose, cough, fever and tiredness). The symptoms of otitis media (e.g. ear pain) develop soon after that. In children, the pain can be difficult to locate, so it is important to take your child to the doctor to be checked for otitis media whenever they have a fever. The pain in the ear usually resolves over a few days. Sometimes it resolves abruptly when the ear drum perforates and the fluid drains out of the ear canal. Perforation of the ear drum is not a catastrophic event since the drum can repair itself quickly and easily. There are many complications of otitis media. They are classified as those that occur outside of the brain (extracranial) and those that occur within the brain (intracranial). These complications are extremely rare and usually occur in very young children, or those with serious medical conditions. SymptomsSome of the common symptoms of otitis media that a parent should look out for are:
Clinical ExaminationWhen you visit your doctor and they think that your child may be suffering from otitis media your doctor may perform the following examinations:
PrognosisThe severity of the symptoms and the age of the patient determines the likelihood of success of antibiotic treatment. Acute otitis media in children below the age of 2 has a poor prognosis. It is associated with an increased number of recurrences of acute otitis media, as well as the development of otitis media with effusion 6 months later in 35% of children. Acute otitis media in older age groups usually resolves on its own without antibiotic treatment. TreatmentMost people with otitis media respond well to general measures such as pain relief and increased fluid intake. Pain relief should be given according to your doctor’s instructions. It is especially important to use the correct dose in young children. Fluid intake is important, especially if your child has a fever or diarrhoea. In infants, fluids should be maintained by continuing breastfeeding or formula feeding. In older children, regular intake of water and not juices or sweetened drinks is important. If your child is severely dehydrated, your doctor may give your child an oral rehydration solution which contains all the essential minerals needed to maintain your child’s body fluids. Antibiotics have been shown to have little effect on the course of acute otitis media, and they are not used in all circumstances.
In otitis media with effusion, a longer course of antibiotics is generally needed. Children should be referred to specialists if they experience learning difficulties or structural damage to the ear drum. References
All content and media on the HealthEngine Blog is created and published online for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice and should not be relied on as health or personal advice. Always seek the guidance of your doctor or other qualified health professional with any questions you may have regarding your health or a medical condition. Never disregard the advice of a medical professional, or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this Website. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor, go to the nearest hospital emergency department, or call the emergency services immediately. What is a risk factor for developing otitis media in a child?Among most children with acute otitis media, infection resolves rapidly with or without antibiotics, with ongoing middle ear effusion the only sequela. Overcrowding, poor living conditions, exposure to cigarette smoke, and lack of access to medical care are all major risk factors for otitis media.
Who is most at risk for otitis media?Who is most likely to get an ear infection (otitis media)?. Age: Infants and young children (between 6 months of age and 2 years) are at greater risk for ear infections.. Family history: The tendency to get ear infections can run in the family.. Colds: Having colds often increases the chances of getting an ear infection.. What is the most common cause of otitis media in children?Otitis media is an infection of the middle ear. Most of the time, it is caused by bacteria that nearly all children have in their nose and throat at one time or another. Ear infections most often develop after a viral respiratory tract infection, such as a cold or the flu.
Why infants are at risk of otitis media?Conclusions: Factors that may cause recurrence of the disease in infant population are use of pacifiers, short duration of breastfeeding, older infantile age, winter season, upper respiratory tract infections and adenoid hypertrophy.
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