Antibiotics for otitis media

This is an automatically translated article.

Antibiotics are often indicated in the treatment of otitis media because it will make the patient more comfortable by quickly eliminating bacteria, thereby reducing fever, reducing ear pain as well as preventing inflammation from spreading to the brain or surrounding bones. ears.

1. Why should antibiotics be used to treat otitis media?

Otitis media is an inflammation of the entire mastoid system and tympanic cavity. It is the most common disease in children and is more likely to occur in adults. If otitis media is not treated promptly, it will cause many dangerous complications such as perforation of the eardrum, hearing loss, facial nerve paralysis, meningitis, brain abscess, ... leading to death in children.
The cause of this pathological condition is an infection of the nose and throat area by bacteria or viruses. In addition, the disease may also occur due to blockage of the tympanic membrane, allergens, gastroesophageal reflux disease, living in a polluted air environment, and sudden weather changes.
There are many ways to treat otitis media, but medical treatment is the most applied. The use of topical and oral antibiotics is often the first priority in otitis media. Treatment with antibiotics for otitis media is recommended for the following reasons:
When children have otitis media, they often have ear pain, then the ears are watery and hearing is reduced, tinnitus, dizziness, fever, swelling behind the ears, Loss of appetite and trouble sleeping... The use of antibiotics to treat otitis media will make the baby more comfortable by eliminating pathogenic bacteria, thereby reducing fever and ear pain earlier. Usually, 1-2 days after taking antibiotics, the child will feel better. Antibiotics can also help prevent inflammation from spreading to the brain or the bones around the ear. These complications are rare, but they can happen. If it happens, it is very dangerous for the baby.

2. Antibiotics for otitis media

Usually, when using antibiotics for otitis media for children, the doctor will prescribe 5-7 days. However, this depends on how the condition affects the baby. But when the baby has been given antibiotics, it is necessary to give them the full number of days indicated, even if the baby feels better after 2-3 days of treatment. This principle is intended to ensure that the infection does not return, making the bacteria resistant to the drug, which makes the disease worse and more difficult to treat. Currently, antibiotics commonly used to treat otitis media include: Augmentin antibiotics, azithromycin and first-, second- and third-generation cephalosporin antibiotics. In cases of otitis media with a ruptured eardrum, the doctor may use topical antibiotics (ear drops) to help the ear canal heal better. Use amoxicillin if the child is not taking beta-lactam antibiotics, has no history of recurrent acute otitis media, and has not had associated purulent conjunctivitis within the past 1 month. The reason for using the antibiotic amoxicillin alone is that if you regularly use strong antibiotics, it will make the bacteria causing otitis media resistant to strong antibiotics. As a result, subsequent ear infections or otitis media are difficult to treat. Amox-clav antibiotics: If within 1 month of using betalactam antibiotics, accompanied by purulent conjunctivitis or a history of recurrent otitis media, it is necessary to use Amox-clav antibiotics to treat ear infections. between . However, if the child is allergic to penicillin, it can be replaced with antibiotics cefdinir or cefpodoxime... Using topical antibiotics Quinolones: Quinolone topical antibiotics include ofloxacin, ciprofloxacin. The effectiveness of topical antibiotics is comparable to that of oral in the case of tympanic catheterization, chronic otitis media, and children with otitis media with purulent discharge.

3. Notes after using antibiotics to treat otitis media

Otitis media can be completely treated and does not cause dangerous complications for children if parents detect it early and follow the doctor's instructions in taking antibiotics.
Therefore, after 48 - 72 hours of antibiotic treatment for otitis media, but the symptoms do not improve, the child should be re-examined to find out the cause and have an alternative treatment regimen. At the same time, there are some basic things to keep in mind after using antibiotics to treat otitis media:
Children under 2 years old need to be re-examined after 8-12 weeks. At the same time, if the child is 2 years old or older but has language and learning problems, they should also be re-examined after 8-12 weeks from the date of diagnosis. If the child is 2 years of age or older and has no speech or learning problems after treating otitis media with antibiotics, recheck at the next routine visit or as soon as possible if there is any deterioration in health. persistent listening. In the case of children with otitis media with perforated eardrums, if the pain is recurrent or persistent, it is necessary to find a cause of pain other than otitis media. Because when the child is still in pain after treatment, it may be due to a widespread infection, otitis externa due to fluid draining from the middle ear... Therefore, it is advisable to re-examine for the doctor to change the appropriate antibiotic group. When otitis media symptoms get worse after taking antibiotics, change antibiotics. For example, if you are using high-dose antibiotic amoxicillin but it is not effective, you should change to high-dose amox-cla... Especially when there are symptoms of recurrent otitis media after successful treatment before, you must Have the child re-examined immediately, because the bacteria may be resistant to the treatment. Antibiotics for otitis media may also not be effective. In this case, it is necessary to make an incision in the tympanic membrane to insert the tympanic tube, or if it is accompanied by signs of upper respiratory tract infection or the patient has symptoms of severe otitis media, surgery is required.

To ensure safety, when children with otitis media need to be taken to a reputable hospital to be examined by a doctor and have an appropriate treatment regimen. Currently, the pediatric department at Vinmec International General Hospital is the address for receiving and examining diseases that infants and young children are susceptible to: viral fever, bacterial fever, otitis media, inflammation With a system of facilities, modern medical equipment, sterile space, minimizing the impact as well as the risk of disease spread, Vinmec will bring satisfaction to customers. Customers and experts in the industry are highly appreciated with:
Gathering a team of leading doctors in Pediatrics: including leading experts, with high professional qualifications (professors, associate professors, PhD, Master), experienced, worked at big hospitals such as Bach Mai, 108.. The doctors are all well-trained, professional, have a heart - reach, understand young psychology. In addition to domestic pediatric specialists, the Department of Pediatrics also has the participation of foreign experts (Japan, Singapore, Australia, USA) who are always pioneers in applying the latest and most effective treatment regimens. . Comprehensive services: In the field of Pediatrics, Vinmec provides a series of continuous medical examination and treatment services from Newborn to Pediatric and Vaccine,... according to international standards to help parents take care of their baby's health from birth to childhood. Advanced techniques: Vinmec has successfully deployed many specialized techniques to make the treatment of difficult diseases in pediatrics more effective: neurosurgery - skull surgery, stem cell transplantation. blood in cancer treatment. Professional care: In addition to understanding children's psychology, Vinmec also pays special attention to the children's play space, helping them to play comfortably and get used to the hospital's environment, cooperate in treatment, improve the efficiency of medical treatment.

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