Does otitis media spread?

Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
Updated on September 24, 2024
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Otitis media is a common and frequent disease in the field of otorhinolaryngology, mainly caused by bacterial infections, such as Streptococcus pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus. Therefore, otitis media is generally not contagious. In certain situations where families live closely together, it is possible for two children to be sick at the same time; however, this is often related to the living environment or other upper respiratory infections, which does not indicate that otitis media is contagious. On the other hand, some specific infections may be contagious, such as tuberculous otitis media. The secretions from tuberculous otitis media are contagious, so it is important to differentiate between types of otitis media to determine whether they are contagious. Generally, otitis media is not contagious.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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Can you drink alcohol with otitis media?

Otitis media should not be accompanied by alcohol consumption. There are various types of otitis media, the more common ones being secretory otitis media, acute otitis media, purulent otitis media, and cholesteatoma-type otitis media, generally categorized as inflammatory reactions of the middle ear diseases. Drinking alcohol can potentially exacerbate the inflammatory response. Furthermore, if alcohol is consumed during treatment, it may lead to poor therapeutic effects and potentially harmful interactions with the medications being used, severely endangering health. For example, drinking alcohol while using cephalosporins may trigger a disulfiram-like reaction, which can be severe and potentially life-threatening. Therefore, during otitis media, it is advised not to drink alcohol and to keep the external auditory canal dry and free from water.

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Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
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Treatment methods for otitis media with effusion

Otitis media with effusion mainly refers to a type of secretory otitis media, where there is negative pressure in the middle ear cavity and fluid accumulation occurs. Treatment usually begins with medications, lasting either one to three months or three to six months. Antibiotics, steroids, and medications that facilitate the drainage of the effusion, such as Mucosolvan, may be used. Additionally, medications that constrict the mucosal blood vessels in the nasal cavity can also be used to facilitate the function of the Eustachian tube. If medication does not relieve or cure the condition, invasive treatment methods such as tympanic membrane puncture, tympanotomy, tympanostomy tube insertion, and Eustachian tube balloon dilation can be employed.

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Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
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How is otitis media treated?

Otitis media is a common and frequently occurring disease in the field of otolaryngology head and neck surgery. The treatment of otitis media is divided into acute and chronic. The clinical treatment of acute otitis media mainly involves anti-infection treatment, primarily using antibiotics locally or systemically, such as ofloxacin ear drops, cephalosporin antibiotics, and, if necessary, intravenous anti-infection treatment. Chronic otitis media is mainly treated surgically in clinical settings. The surgical treatment involves repairing structural defects, removing diseased structures, and restoring normal sound transmission structures. (Medications should be used under the guidance of a clinical physician and based on the specific situation.)

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Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
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What ointment is used for otitis media?

Clinically, otitis media primarily refers to the acute and chronic infections of the middle ear caused by various reasons, mainly acute infectious inflammation of the middle ear. The treatment of otitis media primarily involves the local and systemic use of anti-infection drugs, such as local use of ofloxacin ear drops, and systemic treatment with cephalosporin antibiotics. Ointments are generally not used for treatment. Ointments are difficult to apply to the external ear canal; once an ointment enters the external ear canal, it can block it. This blockage can prevent the timely expulsion of secretions from the ear canal, potentially exacerbating the inflammation. Currently, ointments are not used in the treatment of otitis media.

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Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
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Can otitis media cause a fever?

Otitis media is a common and frequent disease in the otolaryngology department, mainly involving the head and neck domains. It primarily arises from bacterial infections leading to both acute and chronic forms of otitis media. While chronic otitis media typically shows no apparent symptoms, acute otitis media often manifests clinically with symptoms such as ear pain, tinnitus, hearing loss, and in severe cases, ear discharge. If the symptoms are severe, the patient may also experience systemic symptoms like fever, chills, general discomfort, and reduced appetite. Thus, fever can indeed be a symptom of otitis media, largely related to the extent of the inflammatory infection. If the inflammation is due to a specific bacterial infection, the symptoms may be relatively more severe. Additionally, if the inflammation spreads to adjacent structures, such as cranial structures, the fever may be more pronounced.