Otitis media
Cards (10)
- Otitis media is the name given to an infection in the middle ear.
- The bacteria enter from the back of the throat through the eustachian tube. A bacterial infection of the middle ear is often preceded by a viral upper respiratory tract infection.
- The most common bacterial cause of otitis media is streptococcus pneumonia
- Symptoms:
- Ear pain
- Reduced hearing
- General symptoms of an upper airway infection
- Fever
- Can cause balance issues and vertigo
- If tympanic membrane perforated there may be discharge from the ear
- Exam with otoscope:
- Red, yellow or cloudy tympanic membrane
- Bulging tympanic membrane or perforated membrane
- Air-fluid level behind the tympanic membrane
- Most cases will resolve without antibiotics - usually within 3 days but can last for up to a week
- There are three options regarding prescribing antibiotics to patients with otitis media:
- Immediate antibiotics
- Delayed prescription
- No antibiotics
- Consider a delayed prescription that can be collected and used after 3 days if symptoms have not improved or have worsened at any time. This can be useful with patients that are very keen on antibiotics or where you suspect they might get worse.
- First line antibiotic treatment is amoxicillin for 5 days
- Complications:
- Otitis medial with effusion
- Hearing loss - usually temporary
- Perforated eardrum
- Recurrent infection
- Mastoiditis - serious infection that effects the mastoid bone behind the ear
- Abscess