title: Acute otitis media in adults: many unknowns.
abstract: (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.
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D010033:Otitis Media / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents