Presentation
As such, anyone presenting with chronic otitis media or other allergy symptoms is a candidate for specific IgE blood testing. [thermofisher.com]
Half of the children found to have middle ear pathology in the first evaluation presented with the same pathology 6 months later. [cjslpa.ca]
When an ear is rechecked after an acute ear infection, fluid is often still present after the symptoms have gone. This is OME and usually does not benefit from extra rounds of antibiotics. Children get OME much more often than adults. [drgreene.com]
Treatment
Doctors may recommend people undergo treatment that stimulates the body's immune system against allergens (immunotherapy). [merckmanuals.com]
Update on otitis media – prevention and treatment. Infection and Drug Resistance. 2014;7:15-24. doi:10.2147/IDR.S39637. Tomonaga, K, Kurono, Y, Mogi, G. The role of nasal allergy in otitis media with effusion. A clinical study. [thermofisher.com]
Prevention
Tympanostomy tubes can help prevent recurrences of acute otitis media and secretory otitis media. Occasionally, the middle ear is temporarily ventilated with the Valsalva maneuver or politzerization. [msdmanuals.com]
Update on otitis media – prevention and treatment. Infection and Drug Resistance. 2014;7:15-24. doi:10.2147/IDR.S39637. Tomonaga, K, Kurono, Y, Mogi, G. The role of nasal allergy in otitis media with effusion. A clinical study. [thermofisher.com]
How can it be prevented? Preventing OME involves preventing acute ear infections and ensuring proper Eustachian tube function. Try: Decreasing your child’s exposure to ear infection-causing bacteria a. [drgreene.com]
When this tube is not working properly, it prevents normal drainage of fluid from the middle ear, causing a build-up of fluid behind the eardrum. [chop.edu]