Otitis media

Question 1

Causative organisms in otitis media

Answer 1

Viruses

• RSV
• Rhinovirus

Bacteria

• _​_Pneumococcus
• H. influenzae
• Moraxella catarrhalis

Question 2

Treatment options for otitis media

Answer 2

• Analgesia: paracetamol, ibuprofen
• Resolve spontaneously
• ABx marginaally shorten duration of pain- amoxicillin

Question 3

Advice to parents with otitis media child

Answer 3

• Give ABx prescription and tell to give only if child still UNWELL in 2-3 days
• Continual pain relief- regular is more effective than intermittent
• Recurrent infection can lead to ‘glue ear’ or otitis media with effusion
  
  • spontaneous resolution
  • difficulties at school/ normal speech development- hearing loss
  • grommets
  • adenoidectomy