Abstract
Acute otitis media is the most common infection in children that is treated with antibiotics. The following criteria need to be fulfilled for acute otitis media to be diagnosed: sudden onset of the symptoms (fever and otalgia), subjective and objective symptoms of otitis media (reddening of the eardrum, otalgia) and presence of fluid in the middle ear.
On the basis of recent findings, the recommended therapeutic procedures have changed, so that successful therapy is achieved, while limiting the usage of antibiotics. In treatment of uncomplicated acute otitis media, it is recommended to commence with analgesic therapy, but not to indicate antibiotics immediately.
In child patients without antibiotics therapy, it is necessary to to re-evaluate both subjective and objective symptoms after a 48-72 hour observation period and if these symptoms are not getting better, antibiotic therapy should be commenced. The antibiotic of choice is amoxicilin.