What are the symptoms of acute otitis media?

Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
Updated on January 15, 2025
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The symptoms of acute otitis media are quite varied, with common clinical symptoms including ear pain, itching, foreign body sensation, and a feeling of ear fullness. There may also be purulent discharge. If the inflammatory reaction is severe and not promptly treated, it can lead to tinnitus and hearing loss. In terms of diagnosis, an otoscopic examination can be conducted for a more direct and effective assessment. Treatment generally involves the use of antibiotics to combat infection, while also keeping the external ear canal dry and preventing water entry. The typical treatment period is about one week. Overall, effective control and relief can usually be achieved through standardized medication treatment.

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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 to drain fluid from otitis media

Otitis media with effusion refers to the fluid in the tympanic cavity of secretory otitis media. Clinically, the methods for draining or reducing the effusion mainly include the following: First is pharmacological treatment, which primarily involves antibiotics, steroids, and medications that promote the secretion of fluids. This is the pharmaceutical approach to treatment. There is also invasive treatment, which includes procedures such as tympanocentesis, tympanostomy tube placement, and eustachian tube balloon dilation, with the aim of draining or extracting these fluids. Clinically, treatment generally begins with pharmacological approaches, followed by invasive procedures.

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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.

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Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
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Does otitis media require intravenous therapy?

Otitis media refers to acute or chronic inflammation of the tympanic membrane, tympanic cavity, or mastoid cavity. Whether otitis media requires intravenous (IV) therapy mainly concerns acute suppurative otitis media. Generally, if the symptoms of otitis media are mild, such as ear pain without ear discharge, fever, headache, etc., IV therapy is usually not necessary. If the patient's symptoms are severe, such as intense ear pain, discharge from the ear, or even fever and other systemic symptoms, then IV anti-infection treatment should be considered. It is also common to perform a complete blood count to check the number of white blood cells; a high white blood cell count further supports the need for IV anti-infection treatment.

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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.