Final answer:
Acute Otitis Media (AOM) is an infection of the middle ear that commonly occurs in young children. It is characterized by pus accumulation, ear pain, and other symptoms. Antibiotics and vaccination are commonly used in the treatment and prevention of AOM.
Step-by-step explanation:
Acute Otitis Media (AOM) is an infection of the middle ear that is commonly referred to as an earache. It is most common in children between the ages of 3 months and 3 years, and is a leading cause of visits to pediatricians and antibiotic prescriptions. AOM is characterized by the accumulation of pus in the middle ear, which leads to bulging of the tympanic membrane, ear pain, and other symptoms such as swelling of the eustachian tubes and fever.
Diagnosis of AOM is based on clinical signs and symptoms, without the need for laboratory testing. Antibiotics such as high-dose amoxicillin, macrolides, and cephalosporins are commonly prescribed for treatment, although there are concerns about antibiotic resistance. Vaccination with pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) and influenza vaccine has been shown to decrease the incidence and risk of AOM.
Common bacterial causes of AOM include Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Moraxella catarrhalis. The strains of H. influenzae and M. catarrhalis involved in AOM do not possess capsules, but induce an inflammatory response in the middle ear, causing swelling, pus, and tissue damage. Initiatives to educate parents and clinicians about the judicious use of antibiotics have been implemented, but parental expectation for antimicrobial prescriptions for children has actually increased in recent years.