I really enjoyed reading your post this week on acute otitis media (AOM) and how viral
etiologies account for a quarter of pediatric cases and likely resolve without much intervention.
I also appreciate how you discussed the treatment for the adult population and how the
primary treatment is often antibiotics as it is more unusual for an adult to present with otitis
media and if left untreated may result in serious complications. Those complications include
things such as mastoiditis, labyrinthitis, facial paralysis, hearing loss, p
etrositis (petrous apicitis),
otitic meningitis, abscesses, otitic hyhydrocephalus, or even septic lateral sinus
thrombosis
(Limb et al., 2023).
It's also important to address that if there is a medication allergy
to PCN to PCN-type medication to know what are other options to treat which you outlined as
well.
Adults with AOM often present with otalgia which may range from mild to severe and
decreased/muffled hearing on the affected side, and if they report sudden relief from pain it is
likely due to the tympanic membrane rupturing usually after an URI or seasonal allergic rhinitis
exacerbation
(Limb et al., 2023). The provider can confirm diagnosis with the otoscopic exam as
it will likely reveal a bulging TM and may appear opaque or erythematous (Limb et al., 2023).
Reference:
Limb, C. J., Lustig, L. R., & Durand, M. L. (2023, February 28).
Acute otitis media in adults
. Up To
Date.
https://www.uptodate.com/contents/acute-otitis-media-in-adults?search=otitis
%20media&source=search_result&selectedTitle=2~150&usage_type=default&display_rank=1#H
29565560
