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Ear infection - acute - Prevention

Alternative Names

Otitis media - acute; Infection - inner ear; Middle ear infection - acute

Prevention:

You can reduce your child's risk of ear infections with the following practices:

  • Wash hands and toys frequently.
  • If possible, choose a daycare that has a class with 6 or fewer children. This can reduce your child's chances of getting a cold or similar infection, and leads to fewer ear infections.
  • Avoid pacifiers.
  • Breastfeed -- this makes a child much less prone to ear infections. But, if bottle feeding, hold your infant in an upright, seated position.
  • Do not expose your child to secondhand smoke.
  • Make sure your child's immunizations are up-to-date. The pneumococcal vaccine prevents infections from the bacteria that most commonly causes acute ear infections and many respiratory infections.
  • Avoid overusing antibiotics. Overusing antibiotics can lead to antibiotic resistance.
  • Reviewed last on: 5/1/2011
  • Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Tähtinen PA, Laine MK, Huovinen P, Jalava J, Ruuskanen O, Ruohola A. A placebo-controlled trial of antimicrobial treatment for acute otitis media. N Engl J Med. 2011 Jan 13;364(2):116-26.

Hoberman A, Paradise JL, Rockette HE, Shaikh N, Wald ER, Kearney DH, et al. Treatment of acute otitis media in children under 2 years of age. N Engl J Med. 2011 Jan 13;364(2):105-15.

Coker TR, Chan LS, Newberry SJ, Limbos MA, Suttorp MJ, Shekelle PG, et al. Diagnosis, microbial epidemiology, and antibiotic treatment of acute otitis mediain children: a systematic review. JAMA. 2010 Nov 17;304(19):2161-9.

Koopman L, Hoes AW, Glasziou PP, Cees L, Appelman L, Burke P, et al. Antibiotic therapy to prevent the development of asymptomatic middle ear effusion in children with acute otitis media: a meta-analysis of individual patient data. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2008;134:128-132.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Recommended immunization schedules for persons aged 0-18 years---United States, 2011. MMWR. 2011;60(5).

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