Otitis media

Question 1

Otitis media - key symptoms (5)

Answer 1

Throbbing pain of ear
Discharge - yellow
Systemic symptoms (fever, loss of appetite)
Ears are swollen and red/yellow
Tugging of the ear (children)

Question 2

Otitis media - extra questions (3)

Answer 2

Do they have other symptoms (infection signs)
Is there pain elsewhere
Does the discharge have a colour

Question 3

Otitis media - explanation of diagnosis

Answer 3

Inflammation of the middle ear caused by a viral or bacterial infections

Question 4

Otitis media - causes

Answer 4

Virus or bacterial infection

Question 5

Otitis media - first-line treatment OTC

Answer 5

Paracetamol and ibuprofen to treat pain and fever

Question 6

Otitis media - lifestyle (5)

Answer 6

Soothe ears with warm flannel
Wipe away discharge with cotton wool
Don’t use cotton buds to clean ears
Keep ear dry, avoid shampoo inside ear
Avoid swimming (use ear plugs if swimming)

Question 7

Otitis media - when to refer (4)

Answer 7

No improvement within 3 days
Inflammation behind ears (mastoiditis)
Severe systemic infection (N+V, vertigo, blurred vision)
Young children (< 3 months) with fever

Question 8

What is the difference between acute otitis media (AOM) and otitis media with effusion (OME)?

Answer 8

Otitis media with effusion isn’t associated with an infection symptoms, also known as ‘glue ear’, no redness/inflammation, just disharge (non-purluent)