Otitis Media

Middle ear infection

Otitis media is an bacterial infection of the middle ear, the condition can occur after a recent upper respiratory tract infection, flu or cold.

Symptoms

– Earache / Ear pain

– Ear Discharge

– Tugging or pulling at one or both ears

– Fever, especially in infants and younger children

– Hearing difficulties

– Difficulty sleeping and Unusual irritability in children

 

 

Treatment

Treatment

Antibiotic medication by mouth or ear drops
Medication (for pain and fever)
Observation
A combination of the above

common questions

Acute otitis media (ear infection) describes inflammation and infection of the middle ear. During an ear infection there is accumulation of pus in the middle ear accompanied by signs or symptoms of ear infection including severe ear pain; or a perforated eardrum, often with drainage of purulent discharge.

Acute otitis media with purulent effusion behind a bulging tympanic membrane. Chronic otitis media is a long standing condition with a perforated ear drum and resence of persisitant ear discharge.

Most middle ear infections (otitis media) clear up within five days to a week. Whilst chronic otitis media will require further intervention to solve the persistent ear discharge.

Untreated severe infection may lead to spread of infection into the blood stream and nearby vital structures.

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