Otology: Ear Infections.

FP Essent

Department of Community Health and Family Medicine, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL.

Published: July 2024

AI Article Synopsis

  • - Acute otitis media (AOM) is a frequent issue in kids, marked by symptoms like ear pain, fever, and irritability, and usually confirmed by a bulging ear drum; it's often preceded by a viral infection and treated with amoxicillin when antibiotics are necessary.
  • - Watchful waiting may be a suitable approach for uncomplicated AOM in kids 6 months and older, while tympanostomy tubes are commonly used in the U.S. for chronic cases or recurrent infections.
  • - Acute otitis externa involves inflammation of the outer ear canal, leading to redness and discomfort; it's treated with topical antibiotics and possibly corticosteroids.

Article Abstract

Acute otitis media (AOM) is a common diagnosis in children who present with symptoms of otalgia, fever, or irritability and is confirmed by a bulging tympanic membrane or otorrhea on physical examination. It often is preceded by a viral infection, but the bacterial pathogens isolated most commonly are pneumonia, , and . Watchful waiting may be appropriate in children 6 months or older with uncomplicated unilateral AOM. When antibiotics are indicated, amoxicillin is the first-line treatment in those without recent treatment with or allergy to this drug. Otitis media with effusion (OME) is fluid in the middle ear without symptoms of AOM and typically resolves within 3 months. Tympanostomy tube placement is the most common ambulatory surgery for children in the United States. It is used to ventilate the middle ear space and may be performed to treat recurrent AOM, persistent AOM, or chronic OME. Acute otitis externa is inflammation of the external ear canal, often due to infection. On examination, the ear canal is red and inflamed, with patients typically experiencing discomfort with manipulation of the affected ear. It is treated with a topical antibiotic with or without topical corticosteroid.

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