Acute Otitis Media
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Acute otitis media is a bacterial or viral infection of the middle ear that causes ear pain, fever and temporary hearing loss, most common in young children. Bacterial cases are usually treated with antibiotics such as cefuroxime.
Key facts
- Acute otitis media is an infection of the middle ear, the air-filled space behind the eardrum. It is one of the most common infections in young children, though adults get it too.
- It usually follows a cold: the eustachian tube swells shut, trapping fluid where bacteria or viruses multiply. Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae are common bacterial culprits.
- Sharp ear pain, a feeling of fullness, fever, and temporary muffled hearing are the main symptoms.
- Bacterial cases are treated with antibiotics, such as cefuroxime, alongside pain relief; see a doctor if pain is severe, discharge appears, or symptoms don't improve within a couple of days.
What triggers a middle ear infection
Most cases follow a cold or another upper respiratory infection. The eustachian tube, which normally drains the middle ear into the back of the throat, becomes swollen or blocked, letting bacteria or viruses multiply in the fluid trapped behind the eardrum. Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae are the bacteria most often responsible. Young children are especially prone to recurrent episodes because their eustachian tubes are shorter and more horizontal, draining less efficiently, and repeated colds in daycare or other group settings compound the risk.
Antibiotic treatment
When a bacterial cause is likely, antibiotics are the standard approach. Cefuroxime, a second-generation cephalosporin, is commonly used when first-line options are unsuitable or when initial treatment hasn't worked. Pain relief alongside antibiotics helps manage discomfort while the infection clears, and most ears settle within a few days of starting treatment.
When to see a doctor
Seek prompt medical attention if ear pain is severe, if symptoms haven't improved after a couple of days, or if discharge appears from the ear canal. Recurrent episodes, several infections within a year, are worth discussing with a doctor, since they can sometimes point to structural issues that need a specialist review.
This page is educational and does not replace advice from a doctor or pharmacist who knows your health history.