A Simple Guide to Otitis media

A Simple Guide to Otitis media
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What is Otitis media?
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Otitis media is acute or chronic inflammation of the middle ear.

Otitis media occurs in the area between the ear drum (the end of the outer ear) and the inner ear, including a duct known as the Eustachian tube.

Who is affected by Otitis media?
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1.childhood, usually related to viral upper respiratory tract infection

2.family history of middle ear disease.

What are the Causes of Otitis media?
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Bacterial infections:

1.Streptococcus pneumoniae

2.Haemophilus influenzae

3.staphylococcus aureus

4.Moraxella catarrhalis, a gram-negative diplococcus.

5.Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

6.E.coli

Viral infections:

1.common cold.

2.measles

What is the Types of Otitis Media?
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1. Acute otitis media

Acute otitis media ia an acute infection of the middle ear which usually occurs as a result of viral upper respiratory tract infection that can occur at least twice a year

2.Chronic otitis media

Chronic otitis media occurs following acute otitis media with chronic infection of the middle ear and ear perforation.

3.Otitis media with effusion:

Otitis media with effusion occurs when fluid occurs in the middle ear due to blockage of the eustachian tube.

What are the complications of Otitis media?
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1.mastoiditis

2.labrynthitis

3.facial nerve palsy

4.meningitis,

5.brain abscess,

6.febrile seizures.

7.death if a severe infection goes untreated long enough


What are the Symptoms and signs of Otitis media?
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1. cold: stuffy nose

2. earache - The pain lasts a day or two.

3. high fever - may cause seizures if very high

4. discharging pus from the ruptured eardrum
Usually the ruptured drum will usually heal spontaneously

5.Eustachian tube becomes blocked resulting in hearing loss

Signs:

1.Ear drum (tympanic membrane) inflamed and bulging with loss of normal outline

2.Decreased or displaced light reflex of ear drum

3.perforation of ear drum

4.mucopurulent discharge from ear after perforation

How is diagnosis of Otitis media made?
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1.Inflamed ear drum with loss of normal outline, decreased light reflex, bulging and perforation and purulent discharge.

2.Culture and sensitivity of pus swab

3.Nasal and pharyngeal swabs my also be done

4.X-rays or MRI of the mastoid air cells

5.Audiogram for hearing loss

What is the treatment of Otitis media?
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Acute otitis media

1. Antibiotics may be commenced if fever is high or the culture showed bacterial infections.

2.Fever and pain may be treated with paracetamol

3.Antihistamines may be given for rhinitis or runny nose.

4.Decogestants may be necessary for blockage of eustachian tube

5.Bed rest and Fluids

6.Myringoplasty -Puncture of bulging ear drum if painful and aspiration of pus or fluid in the middle ear.

7.Tympanoplasty for eardrum whose perforation does not heal.

8.Mastoidectomy to remove cholesteatoma(growing of skin into middle ear cavity) in chronic otitis media with mastoiditis.


What is the prognosis of Otitis media?
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Prognosis with appropriate treatment is generally good.

Ear drum perforation usually heal spontaneously in most cases.

What are Preventive measures for Otitis media?
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Avoid swimming and diving.

Proper ear hygiene.