Otitis%20media%20-%20acute Patient Education

• Patient should be reassured regarding good long-term prognosis of acute otitis media (AOM)
• Patient is advised smoking cessation

Use of Analgesics

• Discuss the regular use of analgesics until pain decreases
• Pain must be addressed regardless of the need for antibacterial agents, especially in the 1st 24 hours of illness

Use of Antibiotics

• Patient should be made aware that in most cases, antibiotics do not improve prognosis
• Review the risks (eg side effects, antibiotic resistance in the community)
• Educate the patient that antibiotics are recommended only in severe cases, young patients or if there is no improvement or worsening after 2-3 days of analgesics