HEALTH TIME
ASK DR. MARIANNE
Acute Otitis Media (AOM)
Ear infections
Summer as winter, many small children suffer by infections in the middle
ear (acute otitis media, AOM). Ear infections are in fact the most common
cause for children seeking physicians and use of antibiotics in children.
More than 40% of all children have experienced AOM at age 2 and more
than 80% has experienced it before starting school. The peak incidence
is at age 6 – 18 months, especially during the winter season.
The medical explanation and the symptoms
AOM is usually preceded by viral and/or bacterial infections in the
upper respiratory tract. The Eustachian tube is the connection between
the middle ear and the nose. (The Eustachian tube is there to equalize
the pressure in the middle ear with the atmospheric pressure). Having
a cold typically makes mucus membranes swell and therefore disrupts
the Eustachian tubes ability to remove fluids from the middle ear to
nose and throat. The swelling may also trap viruses and bacteria in
the middle ear which then can affect this area locally. Typical symptoms
are therefore a history of cold, pain in the ear – small children
may pull their ears, fever and reduced hearing. If the ear drum perforates
there might also be secretion from the ear.
What to do?
Most AOMs will heal spontaneously. However, if a child is affected it
is recommended to treat the child with pain relievers such as paracetamol
or ibuprofen and nasal drops if the child has a congested nose. If the
child's condition is unchanged or worse after 48 – 72 hours it
is common to start antibiotic treatment. In some cases treatment may
involve an operation where there is made a hole in the ear drum.
Possible complications are a prolonged condition with fluid in the middle
ear causing hearing loss. Infections like mastoiditis (an infection
of a bone located behind the ear) and meningitis (an infection of the
membranes that covers the brain) are rare.
Dr. Marianne
Other links on this topic:
Preventing Ear Infections in Children
Alternative Treatments for Ear Infections
Antibiotics
for a Child’s Ear Infection?
MARIANNE
EFSKIND Occupation: intern in public health and family medicine in Vik. |
 |
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