Can otitis media cause a fever?

Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
Updated on September 19, 2024
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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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How to treat otitis media with effusion?

Otorrhea in otitis media suggests that it may be acute purulent otitis media. This fluid could be mucopurulent or purulent secretion, primarily considered to be caused by bacterial infection. Clinically, we mainly focus on anti-infection treatment. Locally, antibiotic ear drops like ofloxacin ear drops can be used. Systemically, oral antibiotics such as cephalosporins are utilized among others. Additionally, in cases of otorrhea, we need to rule out cerebrospinal fluid leakage caused by otitis media, which results in drainage through the external auditory canal. This requires a CT scan for verification.

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Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
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Can otitis media heal itself?

Otitis media is difficult to heal on its own because it is caused by an acute bacterial infection that leads to reduced eustachian tube function, resulting in fluid accumulation in the middle ear cavity. Patients will experience sudden high fever, with body temperatures above 38.5°C, severe pain in the ear, and symptoms of hearing loss, tinnitus, and a feeling of ear fullness. Upon examination, the eardrum appears significantly congested and swollen, and a large amount of fluid can be found in the middle ear cavity. In terms of treatment, otitis media initially requires symptomatic anti-inflammatory treatment. Patients can take oral medications such as cefaclor, amoxicillin, and potassium penicillin V tablets. At the same time, the ear should be treated locally with ofloxacin ear drops twice a day, which can reduce local congestion and swelling. During treatment, patients also need to maintain a light diet, avoid vigorously blowing their nose, and prevent water from entering the outer ear canal. Generally, recovery can gradually occur within a week. (The use of medication should be under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Xu Qing Tian
Otolaryngology
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What should be paid attention to for otitis media?

Otitis media requires careful attention to avoid water entering the ear and patients digging into their ears, as well as keeping warm to reduce the chances of catching colds and coughing. Otherwise, otitis media may recur and fail to heal. Otitis media is a common disease in otolaryngology and can be divided into several types, including acute otitis media and chronic suppurative otitis media. For acute otitis media, it usually follows a cold or cough, and patients often exhibit clear symptoms of bacterial infection. Treatment typically involves antibiotics and ear drops, and patients' otitis media can usually be cured. The causative factors for chronic suppurative otitis media mainly include infection of the middle ear cavity and cholesteatoma. Treatment often requires a radical mastoidectomy to achieve cure. (Please use medications under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
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How to treat granulation in otitis media?

Granulation tissue proliferation in otitis media indicates an active phase of inflammation. In clinical treatment, the first approach is medication, mainly using antibiotics and hormones, with both local and systemic applications of these drugs concurrently. Treatment usually lasts about two weeks. Generally, most granulations in otitis media are relatively small and can gradually shrink or even completely disappear with such medication. For granulations that fill the middle ear and tympanic cavity, if they cannot be reduced or controlled effectively through medication, then surgical intervention is necessary to remove the granulations in the middle ear cavity and thus treat the otitis media.

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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.