Otitis Media

As a veterinary general practitioner, I see and treat a little bit of everything. Dog with tummy problems? We've got you covered. Kitty needs dental work? No problem — let's get that scheduled. Puppy needs her shots? Done and done. But what do I see more than anything else? Skin and ear disease. In fact, Embrace pet insurance ranks skin infections (dermatitis) as the top insurance claim, and ear infections (otitis) not far behind as the third most common claim. My own experience in practice certainly supports this. Ear infections are distressing for both pets and owners alike. Your dog (and less frequently, your cat) may up be all hours of the day and night, shaking his head, loudly scratching and digging at the ear, or even crying when his ear is touched. This is a painful ...

Meningitis refers to inflammation in the layers of tissue surrounding the brain and the spinal cord. There are many causes, but most cases are from a bacterial or viral infection. Meningitis continues to be a serious global health threat with a high death rate. There is a difference in severity between the two main types. Viral meningitis is usually milder and can resolve on its own. Bacterial meningitis can cause long-term complications or death, especially if not treated right away. Vaccines are available to prevent infection with some of the bacterial and viral organisms that can cause meningitis. Vaccinations have greatly reduced the death rate from bacterial meningitis. Read on to learn more about the fatality rate of meningitis and steps to take to protect yourself and loved ones from getting sick. Meningitis epidemics continue to happen around the world, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. Vaccines for bacterial meningitis A and B have been around for decades, but not everyone h...

Otitis media happens when the middle ear becomes inflamed due to an infection. It is common in children and can follow a sore throat, respiratory infection, or cold. Around 4 out of 5 children will get acute otitis media in their lifetime. It is the second most common cause of emergency department visits in children, following upper respiratory infections. This article discusses otitis media and its symptoms, causes, risk factors, related conditions, complications, and treatment. The article also considers how to prevent it and when to speak with a doctor. Otitis media is the inflammation of the middle ear, an air-filled space that contains the three hearing bones: hammer, anvil, and stirrup. The middle ear is found between the eardrum and the cochlea of the inner ear. Otitis media can be due to viral, bacterial, or coinfection. In many cases, it resolves on its own. In some cases, a doctor may need to prescribe antibiotics. It is an umbrella term for several diseases, including: Acut...

The Acute Otitis Media Treatment Market is valued at  US$ 1,943.9 million  in 2021. It is projected to reach  US$ 3,200.5 million by 2028, Growing a CAGR of 5.1%   from 2022 to 2028 according to a new report by Coherent Market Insights . Acute otitis media (AOM) is an ear infection that causes pain and general disease symptoms such as fever, agitation, and difficulty sleeping. Because children's eustachian tubes are shorter than adults' and more sensitive to bacteria and viruses, AOM is one of the most prevalent ear infections. Bacteria such as Streptococcus and Hemophilic influenza (H.flu) cause around 85% of AOM cases, whereas viruses cause only 15%. The rising prevalence of AOM disease is likely to boost the global acute otitis media treatment market. According to a 2014 study published in the South African Medical Journal, the global incidence of acute otitis media (AOM) is 10.9%, and 80% of children will experience...

Since the pandemic's start, we've learned a great deal about the COVID-19 virus and its impact. People respond to the infection in different, and sometimes strange, ways. While some may develop no symptoms, others may experience severe illness.  There's still much to learn, including if there is a connection between the virus and eye symptoms. Knowing whether or not specific symptoms are entirely due to the COVID-19 infection – or something else – can be a challenge.  At the Nebraska Medicine Truhlsen Eye Institute, research is ongoing as we seek to understand the short-term and long-term effects of how the virus may affect our eye health. Is COVID-19 eye a thing? The term "COVID eye" has been floating around online when people search for answers about eye symptoms. Although we are still learning how the virus may affect the eyes, we know that some people experience inflammation which can cause mild to severe problems in numerous ...

In a world where we need to worry about economic meltdowns, nuclear war and climate change, we really should refrain from adding to the list of things that can wipe out civilisation as we know it. One of these potential world-ending disasters is entirely man-made. The bad news is that it is already causing lots of deaths. But the good news? We can avert the crisis, if we act smart and act now. Antibiotics Almost everyone has fallen ill and been prescribed antibiotics. But perhaps not everyone knows what antibiotics actually do. Antibiotics aren't magic pills that miraculously treat all kinds of illnesses. They are only able to help fight infections caused by bacteria. They do this by either killing the bacteria or making it more difficult for the bacteria to grow and multiply, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. According to Health Hub Singapore, antibiotics should only be used for bacterial infections. For example, these include bacterial lung...

There are many types of fungi, but there are only a few that cause infections in humans. A small number of those cause skin infections. This article will focus on fungal skin infections, including information on symptoms, treatment, and prevention of fungal skin infections. Nitcharee Sukhontapirom / Getty Images What Is a Fungal Skin Infection? A fungal skin infection is caused by certain types of fungi that can get on the skin and multiply. General Symptoms While symptoms will vary depending on the type of problem, general symptoms of a fungal skin infection include: An itchy rash Red skin Scaly skin in the affected area Why Skin Is Vulnerable to Fungus Many fungi grow best in warm, moist environments. This is why fungal skin infections may develop in areas of skin that can harbor moisture, like: In between toes Nails The groin Common Fungal Skin Infections Common fungal skin infections are usuall...

A fungus is a type of organism that lives in soil, air, and plants. A fungus can also live in or on the human body—for example, on the skin. Fungal infections are caused by fungi (the plural word for fungus). Some fungal infections are contagious. Many fungal infections are not serious, but some can be harmful. This article will take a look at the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of some of the most common types of fungal infections. Sirisak Boakaew / Getty Images What Is a Fungal Infection? A fungal infection is an infection caused by a fungus. In everyday life, some examples of fungi are mold and mushrooms. However, these fungi do not cause infections. There are millions of types of fungi, but only a small percentage can make people sick. Fungal infections are passed when you inhale or come into contact with the spores from a fungus. The spores can also land on the skin. Some fungi can reproduce through spores. Fungal infections commonly s...