Otitis Media, Acute
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This refers to an acute inflammation of the middle ear, usually suppurative, occurring after an upper respiratory tract infection, rhinitis and sinusitis.
Causes
- Infections: The commonest organisms are bacteria such as Streptococcus, H. influenza; viruses e.g. Rhinovirus
- Trauma
Signs and symptoms
- Pain
- Drum perforation
- Loss of hearing
- Fever in about half of the cases
- Red bulging ear drum
- Loss of the normal light reflex of the eardrum
- Mild redness of the eardrum and rubbing the ear are not reliable signs.
Non-pharmacological treatment
- Do not instill anything into the ear.
- Avoid getting the inside of the ear wet.
- Dry mop ear if discharge is present.
- Do not plug the ear with cotton wool, etc.
- Exclude TB and HIV infections as contributing factors for recurrent ear infection.
Referral
- Severe pain, fever or vomiting, not responding to treatment after 72 hours (if otoscopy confirmed) or after 24 hours (if otoscopy unconfirmed).
- Recurrent otitis media.
- Painful swelling behind the ear or tenderness on percussion of the mastoid (suspected meningitis)