Attention, chocolate lovers: You may not be able to help yourselves. Swiss and British scientists have linked the widespread love of chocolate to a chemical "signature" that may be programmed into our metabolic systems.
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Middle Ear Infection - Acute Otitis Media
- Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
- Symptoms & Signs
- Diagnosis & Tests
- Prevention & Expectations
- Treatment & Monitoring
- Attribution
- View All
Prevention & Expectations
What can be done to prevent the condition?
If a child has abnormalities of the eustachian tube, there is often no way to prevent the disease. These children often need ventilation tubes placed through their eardrums to bypass the poorly functioning eustachian tube.
There are methods to help prevent infections:
If ear infections continue in spite of preventive efforts, the healthcare provider may recommend other measures. If the ear infections follow colds, starting an antibiotic at the same time the cold starts can be helpful. Antibiotics do not treat the viral infection. They reduce the bacteria where the eustachian tubes drain. The provider may also recommend a preventive dose of antibiotics to be given daily during the cold season.
What are the long-term effects of the condition?
Fortunately, there are very few long-term effects if the infection is properly treated. In rare cases, an infection may cause damage to the nerve of the inner ear. This can result in deafness. Rarely, an ear infection can lead to meningitis or brain abscess.
What are the risks to others?
Acute otitis media is not contagious. It causes no risk to others.