Inflammation of the middle ear – Acute otitis – Middle ear infection

Description of acute otitis media

In this disease there is an infection and inflammation of the ear sredneg. The middle ear is located behind the eardrum.

Causes of acute otitis media

This disease is caused by bacteria and viruses, such as:

• Pneumococcus (the most common cause);
• Haemophilus influenzae;
• Moraxella (Branham) catarrhalis;
• Streptococcus pyogenes.

Risk factors for acute otitis media

Factors, that increase the likelihood of otitis media:

• Recent viral infection (eg, cold);
• Nyedavnii sinusitis;
• Age: Infants and Toddlers;
• Season: winter;
• Disease, that cause disorders of auditory tube, such as:
  • Cleft palate;
  • Down's syndrome;
• Allergy;
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD);
• Children, whose mothers drank alcohol during pregnancy;
• Exposure to passive smoking, usually, cigarette smoke.

Symptoms of acute otitis media

Symptoms include:

• Ear ache (babies can rub the face or ear);
• Elevated temperature;
• Irritability;
• Hearing loss (It may be temporary, due to accumulation of fluid in the ear);
• Reduced appetite, difficulty feeding;
• Bad dream;
• Drainage from the ear;
• Difficulty with balance.

Diagnosis of acute otitis media

Most ear infections can be diagnosed with the ear examination instrument illumination, called otoscope.

The doctor looks, is there fluid or pus behind the eardrum. A small tube and container can be attached to the otoscope, syringe-like. This device supplies air to the eardrum.. It helps to see, does the eardrum move as usual?.

Other tests may include:

• Тимпаноцентез – отбор жидкости или гноя из среднего уха, using a syringe. Used to collect samples for testing for bacteria;
• Тимпанометрия – измеряет давление в среднем ухе и работу барабанной перепонки, also used to check for fluid or pus;
• Проверка слуха – может быть сделана, if there is a suspicion of hearing loss.

Treatment of acute otitis media

Treatment includes:

Medications

Antibiotics are commonly used to treat ear infections. The following drugs are used:

• Amoksiцillin;
• Clavulanate;
• Cephalosporins;
• Sulfa drugs.

As bacteria develop resistance to antibiotics, After the first prescription of a medicine, the doctor can monitor its effectiveness for some time.. In some cases, the doctor may prescribe an antibiotic, if certain symptoms appear (pain, elevated temperature).

Antibiotics may be effective, but you need to keep in mind, that these medications can cause many side effects. Nausea is common, stomach ache, diarrhea. The patient may also have an allergic reaction to the antibiotic..

Some ear infections are caused by viruses. In this case, antibiotics do not work. Most middle ear infections (including bacterial) tends to improve on its own through 2-3 day.

Over-the-counter pain relievers

Painkillers may help reduce pain, fever, and irritability. They include the following formulations:

• Acetaminophen (paracetamol);
• Ibuprofen;
• Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid);

Important: Aspirin is not recommended for children or teens with a current or recent viral infection due to the risk of Reye's syndrome.

It is not recommended to treat an ear infection with decongestants and antihistamines.

Ear drops

Application of drops, which contains a local pain reliever (eg, amethocaine, ʙenzokain, or lidocaine) may help reduce pain, especially when the drops are used with oral painkillers. If the eardrum is ruptured, the use of ear drops is prohibited.

Tympanotomy

Миринготомия – хирургическая операция, applied, to open the eardrum. A small incision is made in the eardrum through which fluid and pus are released..

Prevention of acute otitis media

To reduce the risk of developing acute otitis media, necessary:

• Avoid exposure to smoke;
• Breastfeed your baby, at least the first six months;
• Avoid giving your baby a pacifier;
• Take an allergy test;
• Treat concomitant diseases, such as GERD (Gastroesophageal reflux disease);
• Thoroughly wash your hands;
• Make sure the child is vaccinated. Pneumococcal vaccines may prevent middle ear infections;
• Get vaccinated against the flu;
• If your child has ear infections, in some cases it is necessary to use antibiotics regularly;
• Use tympanostomy. In this case, thin tubes are inserted through a small hole in the eardrum., which act as eustachian tubes. These tubes help equalize the pressure behind the eardrum..