Middle-ear inflammation, most often viral; bacterial pathogens: S. pneumoniae, H. influenzae, M. catarrhalis.
Clinical features
- • Ear pain, fever
- • Hearing loss
- • Otorrhoea if perforated
Examination
- • Bulging, erythematous tympanic membrane ± perforation
Management
- • Analgesia + observation if mild and >2 y
- • Amoxicillin 500 mg TDS × 5–7 d (children 80–90 mg/kg/d divided BD)
- • Co-amoxiclav if treatment failure / severe
Complications
- • Mastoiditis, intracranial extension, chronic suppurative OM
References
- • NICE NG91
Related in WardRound
Educational — verify locally.
