Otitis Media : Information

Introduction : Otitis Media

It is a middle ear infection. Sometimes ear infections can be painful and may even need antibiotics.It is very common in childhood. Most ear infections occur in infants between the age of 6-18 months, though anyone can get an ear infection. For reasons that are unclear they are more common in boys than girls.


References:

  • www.cdc.gov
  • www.nhs.uk
  • www.who.int
  • www.nidcd.nih.gov
  • www.nlm.nih.gov]
Symptoms : Otitis Media

Main symptoms of otitis media include:

  • Earache
  • A high temperature (fever) of 38 C (100.4 F) or higher
  • Lack of energy
  • Slight deafness
  • Often accompanied with nasal discharge and cough

Reference:

  • www.nidcd.nih.gov]
Causes : Otitis Media

Otitis media (middle ear infection) is caused when a bacterial or viral infection, such as a cold, spreads into a part of the ear known as the Eustachian tube.

The Eustachian tube is a thin tube that runs from the middle ear to the back of the nose. It has two main functions: To ventilate the middle ear, helping to maintain normal air pressure. To help drain away mucus and other debris from the ear.

An infection in another part of the body can cause the Eustachian tube to become blocked, leading to an infection.

Enlarged tonsils or adenoids (small lumps of tissue at the back of the throat, above the tonsils) may block the Eustachian tube. Adenoids and tonsils can be removed if they cause a persistent or frequently reoccurring ear infection, this is more common in children than in adults.

Reference:

  • www.nhs.uk]
Diagnosis : Otitis Media

Tests to be conducted are described below:

Tympanometry It helps to measures, how the ear drum reacts to changes in air pressure. A healthy ear drum should move easily if there is a change in air pressure. In tympanometry test, a probe placed into ear changes the air pressure at regular intervals while transmitting a sound into the ear. The probe measures how sound reflects back from the ear, and how changes in air pressure affect these measurements. If less sound is reflected back when the air pressure is high, it usually indicates an infection.

Tympanocentesis It involves draining fluid out of the middle ear using a small needle. The fluid can then be tested for bacteria or viruses that could be responsible for the infection.

CT scans A computer tomography (CT) scan may be used if it is thought the infection may have spread out of the middle ear. A CT scan takes a series of X-rays and uses a computer to assemble the scans into a more detailed, 3D image of the skull.

NHP provides an indicative information. For further diagnosis and treatmwnt one should consult your physician.

Reference:

  • www.nhs.uk]
Management : Otitis Media

Antibiotics: The first line antibiotic treatment is amoxicillin . Among short-course antibiotics, long-acting azithromycin is found more likely to be successful than short-acting alternatives . If there is no improvement after 2 3 days of treatment a change in therapy may be considered.

Tympanostomy tube: In chronic cases with effusions, insertion of tympanostomy tube (also called a "grommet") into the eardrum reduces recurrence rates in the 6 months after placement. Thus tubes are recommended in those who have more than 3 episodes of acute otitis media in 6 month or 4 in a year associated with an effusion.

NHP provides an indicative information. For further diagnosis and treatmwnt one should consult your physician.

Reference:

  • www.cdc.gov]
Medical Condition : Otitis Media : Eye Ear