Otitis media is usually seen in children following an upper respiratory infection and it presents either as an acute otitis media (bacterial infection) or as otitis media with effusion (collection of fluid in the middle ear).
Acute otitis media manifests itself with pain in the ear, and fever, which sometimes is followed by bloody ear drainage. Antibiotics are the main treatment. If the child develops repeated bouts of acute otitis media over a relatively short period of time, insertion of ventilating tubes is recommended.
Otitis media with effusion results from eustachian tube malfunction usually associated with a cold or large adenoids, and causes a stuffy sensation in the ear and a mild to moderate hearing loss. Often otitis media with effusion will resolve without specific treatment. If it does not resolve spontaneously, antibiotics are often prescribed even though antibiotics are only effective in 15 to 20% of cases. If the fluid persists for more than 3 months and is causing a significant hearing loss, surgical removal of the fluid and insertion of ventilating tubes is warranted.
The intermittent or persistent hearing loss seen in young children with otitis media may result in delayed acquisition of speech and in learning disabilities.
For an appointment with Dr. Sismanis concerning otitis media,
call (804) 628-4368 or (804) 323 -0830.
Additional Information on Infections on the Web
General Information: Ear Infections
Ear Infections and Children (American Academy of Pediatrics)
Ear Infections (MEDLINEplus)
Ear Infections and Ear Ache (American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery)
Ear Infections and Ear Tube Surgery (Nemours Foundation)
Clinical Trials Ear Infections (CenterWatch.com)
Otitis Media
Acute Otitis Media (KidsHealth)
Fluid in the Middle Ear (Otitis Media with Effusion): Antiobiotic Resistance (Center for Disease Control)
Middle Ear Fluid in Young Children: Parent Guide (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
Otitis Media (Ear Infection) (National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders)
Clinical Trials Otitis Media (ClinicalTrials.org from the National Library of Medicine)
External Otitis - Swimmer's Ear
External Otitis - Swimmer's Ear (Nemours Foundation)
Swimmer's Ear (American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery)
Clinical Trials Otitis Externa (CenterWatch.com)
Perforated Ear Drum
Perforated Eardrum (American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery)
Cholesteatoma
Cholesteatoma (American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery)
Cholesteatoma (Mark J. Levenson, MD, FACS, Ear Surgery Information Center)
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