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Acute Otitis Media (Middle Ear Infection) - Causes & Symptoms

by GoMedii T. Online Medical Help

This infection is one of the most common infections found in humans. Ear infections are very painful because of inflammation and building up of fluids in the middle ear. This infection generally clears up on their own, treatment may begin with managing pain and examine the problem. Ear infection in infants and serious cases generally require antibiotic medications. Today we are going to talk about acute otitis media and how it can be treated.


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What is Acute Otitis Media?


Acute otitis media is a frequent bacterial or viral infection which affects the middle ear, the air-filled space behind the eardrum which contains the small vibrating bones of the ear. Children are more likely than adults to get this infection.



What are the Risk Factors of Acute Otitis Media?


There are a few risk factors of otitis media:


Age


Children who are of the age 6 months to 2 years are more susceptible to ear infections because of the size and shape of their eustachian tubes and because of their poorly developed immune systems.




Childcare


Children car is more likely to get colds and ear infections than are children who stay home because they're exposed to more infections, like- the common cold.


Infant Feeding


Babies who drink from the bottle, especially while lying down, tend to have more risk of having ear infections than babies who are breastfed.


Seasonal Factors


Ear infections are very common during the fall and winter when colds and flu are prevalent. People with seasonal allergies have a high risk of ear infections during seasonal high pollen counts.


Poor Air Quality


Smoke, tobacco and high levels of air pollution can increase the risk of ear infection.



What are the Complications of Acute Otitis Media?


There are some complications of otitis media:


Impaired Hearing:


Light hearing loss which comes and goes is fairly common with an ear infection, but it generally returns to what it was before the infection after the infection clears. In case there is some permanent damage to the eardrum or other middle ear structures, permanent hearing loss may occur.


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Speech or Developmental Delays:


If the hearing is temporarily or permanently impaired in infants and toddlers, they may experience delays in speech, social and developmental skills.


What are the Preventions of Acute Otitis Media?


There are some preventions of otitis media:


Prevent Common Colds and Other Illnesses:


Educate your children to wash their hands frequently and thoroughly and to not share eating and drinking utensils. Instruct your children to cough or sneeze into their arm crook.


Breast-Feed Your Baby:

Breast-feed your baby for at least 6months. Breast milk carries antibodies which may offer protection from ear infections.


What is the Treatment of Acute Otitis Media?


Some ear infections resolve without treatment with antibiotics.


1. A warm Compress

Put a warm, moist washcloth over the affected ear, it may lessen pain.


2. Pain Medication


Your doctor may suggest the use of over-the-counter acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) to relieve pain. Use the drugs as directed on the label. Use caution when giving aspirin to children or teenagers. Children and teenagers recovering from chickenpox or flu-like symptoms should never take aspirin because aspirin has been linked with Reye's syndrome. Talk to your doctor if you have concerns.


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3. Antibiotic Therapy


1. Children who are 6 months and older with moderate to severe ear pain in one or both ears for at least 48 hours or a temperature of 102.2 F (39 C) or higher.


2. Children who are 6 to 23 months with mild inner ear pain in one or both ears for less than 48 hours and a temperature less than 102.2 F (39 C).


3. Children who are 24 months and older with mild inner ear pain in one or both ears for less than 48 hours and a temperature less than 102.2 F (39 C).


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About GoMedii T. Junior   Online Medical Help

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Joined APSense since, February 26th, 2019, From Noida, India.

Created on Mar 28th 2019 08:00. Viewed 511 times.

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