• Featured Condtion/Disease: Ear Infections

    We are featuring a childhood/infant disease or condition informational post every other Friday.  Today's topic is Ear Infections.

    Definition

    Overview of Ear Infections

    There are three main kinds of ear infections, which are called acute otitis (oh-TIE-tus) media (AOM), otitis media with effusion (uh-FEW-zhun) (OME), and otitis externa (Swimmer’s Ear). Sometimes ear infections can be painful and may even need antibiotics. Your healthcare provider will be able to determine what kind of ear infection you or your child has and if antibiotics would help.

    Acute otitis media

    The type of ear infection that is usually painful and may improve with antibiotic treatment is called acute otitis (oh-TIE-tus) media, or AOM. Symptoms of AOM include pain, redness of the eardrum, pus in the ear, and fever. Children may pull on the affected ear, and infants or toddlers may be irritable. Antibiotics are often prescribed to children for AOM, but are not always necessary.

    Otitis media with effusion

    Otitis media with effusion (uh-FEW-zhun), or OME, is a build up of fluid in the middle ear without signs and symptoms of acute infection (pain, redness of the eardrum, pus, and fever). OME is more common than AOM, and may be caused by viral upper respiratory infections, allergies, or exposure to irritants (such as cigarette smoke). The build up of fluid in the middle ear does not usually cause pain and almost always goes away on its own. OME will not usually benefit from antibiotic treatment.

    Otitis externa (Swimmer’s Ear)

    Otitis externa, more commonly known as Swimmer’s Ear, is an infection of the ear and/or outer ear canal. It can cause the ear to itch or become red and inflamed so that head movement or touching of the ear is very painful. There may also be pus that drains from the ear.  Antibiotics are usually needed to treat otitis externa.

    Symptons

    Acute otitis media (AOM)

    • Pulling at ears
    • Excessive crying
    • Fluid draining from ears
    • Sleep disturbances
    • Fever
    • Headaches
    • Problems with hearing
    • Irritability
    • Difficulty balancing

    Otitis media with effusion (OME)

    • Problems with hearing
    More Information

    To get more information about ear infections, click here. 


     

    *Most of the information provided here is from the CDC site, click here to visit their site.

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Prescription Drug Help

Health Care Providers

Florida Discount Drug Card Program

If you are 60 years old or older and without prescription drug coverage or who fall into the Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage gap; or under age 60, without prescription drug coverage, and with an annual family income of less than 300% of the Federal Poverty Level you may use this program. Qualifying incomes include those below the following:


$32,490 (for an individual)

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For general information: http://www.floridadiscountdrugcard.com/

To enroll go to: http://www.floridadiscountdrugcard.com

Or call 1-866-341-8894 to enroll by telephone


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You can pick these up at any library branch or at the health department to receive a discount on your prescriptions.


For information 1-877-321-2652 or visit their website www.caremark.com/naco