What is the treatment of Otitis Media?
Medical treatment Prompt treatment of middle ear infections with antibiotics is vital to prevent complications. Oral antibiotics can be given for five to seven days in children over two years old. A full ten-day course of antibiotics, however, should still probably be used for very young children and for those with complications. Analgesics (pain relievers) may be given to reduce the discomfort. Antihistamines, decongestants and steroids have not been proven to work in children for the treatment of otitis media. Surgical treatment Once the infection clears, fluid may remain in the middle ear. This situation is termed serous otitis media or otitis media with effusion. Middle ear fluid that is not infected may disappear after several weeks; alternatively, it may persist for several months. If the fluid persists for more than three months and is associated with a loss of hearing, the insertion of a tympanostomy tube is suggested. A procedure called myringotomy is performed where a tiny in
