Acute Otitis Media

Acute otitis media (AOM) is one of the most common types of ear infection which affects the middle ear, often due to viral or bacterial infection.  Middle ear is the air-filled space found behind the eardrum. AOM is often very painful due to inflammation and fluid build-up and lasts for a short period. It occurs when the Eustachian tube fails to drain the fluid from the ear to the back of the throat. Children have shorter ear tubes and smaller openings, increasing the risk of clogging and fluid build-up which can become infected. The Eustachian tube can become blocked due to:

• Allergies

• A cold or sinus infection
  

• Excess mucus and saliva produced during teething
  

• Infection or swelling in adenoids 
  

• Risk factors associated with AOM include:
  

• Using a pacifier
  

• Being between the age of six months and three years
  

• Spending time in a day-care or school as children can get colds and ear infections from other children
  

• Drinking from a bottle instead of breastfeeding
  

• Exposure to cigarette smoke and air pollution

When to seek expert advise

Constant vigilance on your part is necessary. If your child has the above mentioned symptoms that last for more than a day or you notice a pus or bloody discharge from your child’s ear, visit one of our doctors at the Children's Hospital Service Line​ at The Aga Khan University Hospital the only internationally accredited hospital in Pakistan, for accurate diagnosis and prompt treatment.

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