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Last Updated on November 27, 2025 by Ugurkan Demir
A pediatric guide to otitis media treatments, including pain management, observation, and when antibiotics are necessary for middle ear infections.
Acute Otitis Media (AOM) is a common illness in kids. It affects about 80% of children by age 5. As healthcare providers, we know how important it is to treat it well.
At Liv Hospital, we offer top-notch care for kids. We help families understand and manage AOM. Our goal is to mix medical knowledge with caring to give the best care.
Otitis media is a big health problem in kids. It’s important to know what it is, its types, and who’s at risk. Knowing its causes helps us care for kids better.
Acute Otitis Media (AOM) is when the middle ear gets inflamed. It often starts with a cold. This condition has fluid in the ear and signs of infection.
There are different kinds of otitis media, including:
Otitis media is very common in kids. It uses a lot of healthcare resources. It’s most common in kids under 5.
Age Group | Prevalence of Otitis Media |
0-2 years | High |
2-5 years | Moderate to High |
5+ years | Low to Moderate |
Many things can make kids more likely to get otitis media. These include:
“Understanding the risk factors for otitis media is key for prevention and early treatment.”
Medical Expert, Pediatrician
Knowing these risk factors helps doctors give better care. They can prevent and treat otitis media better.
Acute Otitis Media is mainly caused by bacteria. The top bacteria causing AOM are Streptococcus pneumoniae, non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae, and Moraxella catarrhalis. High-dose amoxicillin is the first choice for treating AOM because it works well against these bacteria.
Choosing the right antibiotic is key when treating AOM. Amoxicillin is often chosen because it targets the main culprits. If amoxicillin doesn’t work, doctors might try azithromycin or ceftriaxone. The choice depends on the patient’s age, how bad the symptoms are, and local resistance to antibiotics.
Managing AOM well means knowing how it works and picking the best treatment. Using high-dose amoxicillin, for example, helps reduce symptoms and stops complications.
Otitis media, or middle ear infection, is common in kids. It causes ear pain, fever, and hearing loss. This condition is a big concern for many children.
AOM usually comes from viral infections. The main bacteria causing it are treated with strong antibiotics like amoxicillin.
Kids with allergies or a family history of ear infections are at higher risk. Smoking and daycare also increase the risk.
Doctors use physical exams, medical history, and tests like tympanometry. These help check the middle ear and eardrum.
For AOM, doctors usually prescribe antibiotics like amoxicillin. Sometimes, ibuprofen is given to help with pain and fever.
Sometimes, watching and waiting is okay, mainly for older kids with mild symptoms. But, antibiotics are key for younger kids or those with bad symptoms.
OME might get better on its own. But, sometimes, more treatment is needed. We might watch it closely or use other methods to help symptoms.
For kids, treating otitis media means accurate diagnosis and the right antibiotics. Pain management is also important. We follow these guidelines to help our patients the most.
National Center for Biotechnology Information. (2025). How to Treat Otitis Media A Pediatric Guide. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470332/
