Related Experiment Videos
[Acute otitis media: do not hesitate to treat]
Adriaan G Schoch1, H W J Harm van Marwijk
1VUmc, afd. Huisartsgeneeskunde, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. agschoch@hotmail.com
Abstract:
Recently, two randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials published in The New England Journal of Medicine have stirred up discussion about the use of antibiotics in the treatment of acute otitis media (AOM). In the Netherlands, the practice guideline of the Dutch College of General Practitioners recommends withholding antibiotics in most cases and that antibiotics can be considered when a child under the age of 2 years has bilateral AOM, otorrhoea, or persistent symptoms for 3 days or more. These recommendations are mostly based on a meta-analysis published in 2006. Previous studies on AOM had important limitations such as varying diagnostic criteria and biased patient selection. The new trials, which are of high methodological quality, investigated only 'real' AOM and the results show the same efficacy as the aforementioned meta-analysis. We therefore feel it is justified to consider prescribing antibiotics for a young child with manifest symptoms and evident AOM on otoscopic examination.
Related Concept Videos
Tonsillitis II: Management
Acute Pyelonephritis II: Diagnostic Studies and Management
Acute Pharyngitis
Acute pharyngitis is the inflammation of the back of the throat (pharynx), commonly resulting in a sore throat. It is a frequently encountered condition that prompts individuals to seek medical advice.
Classification
Acute pharyngitis can be categorized based on its underlying cause:
Tonsillitis I: Introduction
Etiology
Three primary contributing factors have been identified.
Pneumonia IV: Management
Bacterial Pneumonia Treatment
For bacterial pneumonia, antibiotics serve as the cornerstone of therapy. Initial treatment often begins with empirical antibiotics, tailored to the anticipated causative organism and adjusted based on culture results. Key antibiotic choices include:
Acute Pyelonephritis I: Introduction