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Can Otitis Media Be Cured Without Antibiotics?

Posted on Wed, 25 May 2016

Question: Hello Sir, My 7 year old son has cough and nasal congestion following otitis media. Is this condition curable without support of anti-biotic. His chest is clear. Can ambroxol help relieve otitis media ?

Answered by Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (29 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Otitis media requires antibiotic for 10 days - Ambroxol cannot relieve this

Detailed Answer:
Hi...Otitis media is an infection of the middle ear and this definitely requires antibiotic. Ambroxol is only a mucolytic or a medicine with clears mucus. This alone will not suffice for middle ear infection.

If your kid is not not received any antibiotics in the past 30 days then only plain Amoxicillin will suffice.

But if he has received any antibiotics in the past 30 days then we need to give him Amoxicililn - Clavulenate combination.

Whatever is the antibiotic the duration of therapy is 10 days.

For cold you can use Cetrizine at 0.25mg/kg/dose every 12 hourly for 3 days.
(THIS IS A PRESCRIPTION DRUG AND THE BOTH ANTIBIOTICS ARE ALSO PRESCRIPTION DRUGS)

For nasal block, plain saline nasal drops will do, every 4-6th hourly to relive nasal congestion.

Regards - Dr. Sumanth

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (49 minutes later)

Sir, my son has been inhaling metaspray (single puff in each nostril) once daily for the past 2 weeks. He was given asthalin (5 ml) twice daily for 5 days in addition to cosome expectorant (5 ml) twice daily. So is that ok to continue metaspray ? Shall I discontinue cosome expectorant and asthalin also ?

Answered by Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Why was metaspray started - please answer my questions

Detailed Answer:
Hi...Metaspray is not for otitis media.

1. Why was Metaspray started?
2. Is there any consistent runny nose of blocked nose for the kid for weeks together?
3. Is there any family history of allergic rhinitis?
4. Is there any history of wheezing in the kid or any previous nebulizations?

Please get back with answers.

Regards - Dr. Sumanth

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Sonia Raina

Follow up: Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (25 minutes later)

Sir,
1) Metaspray was first started about one year ago for similar complaints as I detailed above. At that time also my son had frequent cold, ear-ache, fever, cough associated with otitis media. All these problems begin with cold and subsequent blocked nose condition. Even once he was admitted in hospital for otitis media with effusion (OME). NOW ALSO HE IS HAVING OME.

2) YES. He had runny nose / blocked nose for weeks together very frequently.

3) YES. Myself and wife are very prone to allergic rhinitis.

4) He has very mild to moderate wheezing, but never had to undergo nebulization.

Answered by Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (6 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Suggestions given

Detailed Answer:
Hi...

1. Continue Metaspray.
2. I suggest adding oral Monteleukast 5mg once a day in evening for 8 weeks.
3. Give antibiotics as I have suggested.
4. You need not continue coscome.

Regards - Dr. Sumanth

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Deepak