Acute otitis media in adults: many unknowns
Prescrire International 12(65): 108-109
2003
ISSN/ISBN: 1167-7422 PMID: 12825601 Document Number: 565614
(1) Acute otitis media is likely in adults with recent-onset otalgia, fever, and a bulging eardrum on otoscopy. Management is similar to that in children: no antibiotics in the first instance, then amoxicillin later if antibiotic therapy is needed. (2) Otitis media with a perforated eardrum, and evidence of pus must be distinguished from external otitis. In patients with otitis media and a perforated eardrum, the commonest bacterial isolates are staphylococci, pseudomonas and pneumococci. (3) If antibiotics are prescribed the choice of agent is based on individual clinical findings and underlying health status.