Otitis Media (OM)

Acute OM is defined as an acute upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) affecting one or both ears, often associated with infection in the rest of the upper respiratory tract.
Symptoms vary with age and include otalgia, hearing loss and pyrexia. Middle ear effusion and inflammation of the eardrum have to be confirmed by visualisation of the tympanic membrane. Acute otitis media is often of viral aetiology.
Antimicrobials are usually recommended if there is no resolution following 48 hours of symptomatic therapy.
Refer to guidelines for other indications for antibiotics.

1. Respiratory viruses
2. Haemophilus influenzae
3. Streptococcus pneumoniae
4. Moraxella catarrhalis

1. Amoxicillin 1gm 8 hourly
2. Amoxicillin-clavulanate 2000mg amoxicillin/125mg clavulanate 12 hourly

(Refer to guidelines for other options)