Dr John Gullotta on Ear Infection

Q1. How do you diagnose acute otitis media (AOM)?
Acute otitis media (AOM) is fairly easily diagnosable by a doctor just looking into the ear with an otoscope, which actually sees and visualises the eardrum. And in acute otitis media it will appear red. Sometimes you actually see pus or a bulging of the eardrum which indicates that it is acute otitis media.

Q2. What complications can occur if AOM is not treated? If we don't treat acute otitis media, the serious complications that can occur are hearing loss and also it can lead to behavioural and learning difficulties in those children.

Q3. What can parents do to help reduce the recurrences and complications associated with AOM in young infants and children? To reduce recurrences and complications of acute otitis media, parents must ensure that their child has all the doses and completes the course of antibiotics. It's very, very important.

Q4. What could happen if antibiotics are not taken properly? If antibiotics aren't taken properly, obviously it will take longer for the patient to get better. But importantly, it can breed resistance. So the bugs can actually become resistant to the antibiotic that you are using and then you will need stronger and stronger antibiotics to actually kill the bug.

Q5. Which antibiotics do the Therapeutic Guidelines: Antibiotic recommend for the treatment of otitis media? For the treatment of otitis media, the Therapeutic Guidelines recommend the use of amoxycillin twice or three times daily.

Q6. What are the major benefits of a twice-daily antibiotic?A twice-daily antibiotic is vital, especially for school age children, because they can have their dose before they go to school and when they return from school.

Q7. What should parents do if they suspect their child has AOM? If parents suspect their child has acute otitis media, they should take their child to their local doctor without hesitation. Their doctor will look in their ears, see if they've got an infection and if they have, they will treat them with the appropriate antibiotic.