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Acute otitis media is a middle ear’s viral or bacterial infection. Such a disorder is most likely to occur in young children, especially in those between ages three months and three years, although acute otitis media may occur in individuals of all ages. Generally, acute otitis media develops as a common cold complication. Bacteria or viruses from the person’s throat may reach the middle ear through the bloodstream or Eustachian tube. Viral otitis media is generally caused by bacteria otitis media. The first symptom of acute otitis media is severe, persistent ear pain. Temporary loss of hearing can happen. Young children can have a temperature of up to 105 F, nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting. The eardrum becomes inflamed and can bulge. If the eardrum ruptures, ear discharge can be bloody at first, after that chancees to clear fluid and then to pus. Severe complications such as fever and chills, vertigo, petrositis, or mastoiditis (surrounding bone infections), meningitis, sudden profound hearing loss, face paralysis, and labyrinthitis (semicircular canal infection) may occur. To diagnose acute otitis media, the doctor evaluates the ear. Sample of ear discharge is taken and sent to a laboratory to determine bacteria resulting in infection. Antibiotics are given to treat the infection. The first choice is Amoxocillin for individuals of any age, but Penicillin in large doses can be prescribed for adult people. Cold drugs consisting of phenylephrine may help keep the lustachian tubes open; and antihistamines are helpful for allergies. If an individual has persistent or severe pain, diarrhea vomiting, or fever, a doctor can make a myringotomy procedure in which an opening is done through the eardrum to let fluid drain from the person’s middle ear. If the opening does not affect hearing, it heals on its own.
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