The Federal Association of Otolaryngologists in Germany said that acute otitis media is among the common diseases in children. Almost every child suffers from it at least once until the age of three.
Frequent use of pacifiers
The association explained that the causes of acute otitis media lie in enlarged tonsils, allergies, or frequent use of pacifiers, as they change the pressure in the ears and can transmit pathogens.
Otitis media is usually preceded by a cold or other infection, in which pathogens – viruses or bacteria – rise from the nasopharynx to the middle ear, and then the mucous membranes in the ear become swollen and inflamed, and more fluid is formed that cannot be Get rid of them. These secretions accumulate in the middle ear and can cause hearing problems and severe pain.
Acute otitis media may also be caused by a serious illness such as Eustachian tube dysfunction, cleft palate, or a weakened immune system.
Pain and fever
Symptoms of acute otitis media are severe ear pain (on one or both sides), hearing loss, and fever (temperature higher than 38 degrees), and sometimes ear discharge also comes out.
Symptoms also include general discomfort such as fatigue, sleep disturbances, loss of appetite, stomach pain, and vomiting.
It can also be inferred that a child has a middle ear infection by noticing him touching the ear or shaking his head repeatedly, in addition to anxiety and excessive crying.
Treatment methods
A doctor should be consulted immediately upon noticing these symptoms to undergo treatment, which includes fever-reducing medications such as paracetamol or ibuprofen. Decongestant nasal drops and sprays also help relieve pain. Because it improves middle ear ventilation.
If the cause of otitis media is due to bacteria, it is treated with antibiotics.