Acute Bacterial Otitis Media

In some cases, bacterial infection develops in the fluid collected in the middle ear, leading to acute suppurative otitis media. Symptoms include worsening ear pain, throbbing, hearing loss, fever, and sometimes inflammatory ear discharge due to a ruptured eardrum. Treatment involves antibiotics, and supportive treatment. Eardrum perforations due to otitis media most likely will heal with proper treatment.

“In cases of frequently recurring infections, treatments or surgeries following scientific guidelines may be required, addressing the underlying cause from a holistic perspective.”

Factors that increase the risk of acute suppurative otitis media include upper respiratory infections that severely impair Eustachian tube function, persistent or recurrent adenoid infections, attending daycare which can lead to frequent infections, having allergies, and exposure to tobacco smoke. Using pacifiers or nasal irrigation kits, which can help bacteria from the nose reach the Eustachian tube and ear, also contributes to the risk. Additionally, having a history of bacterial middle ear infections or a family history of such infections increases the risk.