![]() ![]() Some evidence suggests that vaccinations against common viral illnesses (such as influenza and RSV) will diminish the incidence of AOM. Cold or hot pack applications help to ease the pain, as does positioning the child with the head propped up. Pain is usually treated with acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Antihistamines, decongestants, homeopathic, and naturopathic remedies are not beneficial in AOM and should not be given. Anesthetic eardrops may be prescribed if the tympanic membrane is intact and there is no discharge from the ear. Parents should be warned that if improvement is not seen in 2 to 3 days on this therapy, the primary care provider should be notified, because this may indicate that the causative bacteria are amoxicillin-resistant, requiring a different drug, such as amoxicillin-clavulanate (Augmentin), cefuroxime (Ceftin) or ceftriaxone (Rocephin). Amoxicillin is the drug of choice when antibiotics are required. Antibiotics, however, should be prescribed for the child under age 2 or when the eardrum is bulging and fever is present. Parents should be told that if the child does not show improvement in 2 to 3 days, an antibiotic may be needed, but that inappropriate use of antibiotics leads to bacteria that are resistant to these drugs. Since AOM is usually self-limiting and resolves in 1 to 2 weeks without antibiotics, the best approach is to watch and wait. History of a recent upper respiratory infection is common. Diarrhea is also a common sign of AOM in infants. Systemic signs include fever, irritability, headache, lethargy, anorexia, and vomiting. There may be pain in the ear, drainage of fluid from the ear canal, ear-tugging, and hearing loss. Risk factors for middle ear infection include age under 2 years, exposure to family members or others with respiratory infections, day care attendance, lower socioeconomic status, exposure to second-hand smoke or wood-burning stoves, allergies, excessive use of a pacifier, and feeding with a propped bottle or in a supine position. ![]() The most common causes are viruses, such as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and influenza virus, and bacteria, including Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Moraxella catarrhalis. Because infants and children have short, horizontal eustachian tubes, they are at risk for obstructions of the middle ear, allowing fluid to accumulate and bacteria to proliferate in the fluid, resulting in inflammation and infection. More than 90% of children experience at least one episode by age 2 years. 12,000,000 cases of otitis media are estimated to occur each year. xylometazoline spray) will also help to prevent this problem.The presence of fluid in the middle ear accompanied by signs and symptoms of local or systemic infection. This is usually accomplished by yawning or sucking boiled sweets. acute barotrauma is painful - during descent in an aircraft the eustachian tubes ought to be open to allow equalisation of pressure.It also causes a secretory otitis media, although in this instance the fluid is believed to be a transudate rather than normal mucus ![]() differences between middle ear and ambient pressures may cause rupture of superficial vessels in the middle ear.otic barotrauma is most often due to descent in aircraft it is also seen in divers. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |