Otitis

OTITIS

Acute otitis media (AOM) is an infection of the middle ear involving the eardrum .

Symptoms of otitis in children :

The signs can be misleading, especially in children and infants. Think of acute otitis media when :

• the child touches his or her ear often

• the child cries, is irritable, has difficulty falling asleep

• has a lack of appetite

• presents digestive disorders, very misleading with diarrhea and vomiting

-presents a decrease in hearing (the child does not react to weak sounds).

The symptoms of acute otitis media in adults

• pulsating pain (rhythmic with the heartbeat) in the ear, which can radiate into the head

• a sensation of blocked ear, of reduced hearing.

• sometimes ringing in the ears or feelings of dizziness

A doctor should be consulted to confirm the diagnosis of AOM and to decide whether antibiotic treatment is appropriate.