otitis media without effusion :: Article CreatorWhat Is Otitis Media With Effusion (OME)? Study Finds An Association With COVID-19 Virus In The Ear
COVID-19 has remained a subject of great curiosity for many scientists and infectious disease specialists. Due to its unique characteristics, the SARS-CoV-2 virus has surprised many in various ways and continues to do so till date.
Despite being a respiratory illness, many studies have highlighted how the disease impacts different parts of the body, including the ear. A 2023 study published in Frontiers in Public Health found that nearly half of the 2,247 participants who had COVID experienced some type of hearing or balancing issue, with a prevalence among women, younger people, and healthcare workers. Researchers noted that vertigo was the most frequent issue, followed by ringing in the ears (tinnitus), ear pain, and a feeling of fullness in the ear.
Now, a new study published in the American Journal of Otolaryngology has discovered how the virus can act as a silent reservoir and be present in the middle ear for up to a month post-infection.
Also Read: From Eris To Pirola, Latest COVID-19 Variants To Watch Out For: Symptoms To Note
Latest Findings On COVID-19 Virus
The study investigated if the Omicron variant of COVID-19 could cause middle ear fluid buildup in adults and found a potential association between the COVID virus and patients developing Otitis Media with Effusion (OME).
Ear doctors in China examined people who had OME after an Omicron infection.
After the fluid was removed from their ears and tested for the virus, out of 23 patients, three had the virus in their ear fluid, even though their initial COVID infection was weeks ago.
This suggested that Omicron might play a role in OME and could linger in the ear for a while.
Chengzhou Han, from Wuxi Huishan District People's Hospital in China and study author, said, "Our study highlights the potential effects of COVID-19 on the middle ear, suggesting a link between SARS-CoV-2 and OME onset."
"The virus, a significant contributor to OME, is detectable in the middle ear nearly a month post-Omicron infection, indicating a potential alteration in OME treatment strategies and a risk of recurrence, emphasising the necessity for otolaryngologist vigilance," Han added.
The study, conducted from January to June 2023, included 23 patients between 32 and 84 years who presented with OME post-Omicron infection.
What Is Otitis Media With Effusion (OME)?
Fluid buildup in the middle ear without the presence of an acute infection is characteristic of OME, a condition that is one of the most frequent infectious diseases in children and the most common cause of acquired hearing loss in childhood, as per StatPearls Publishing.
OME often occurs after a cold or upper respiratory infection when the Eustachian tube, which drains fluid from the middle ear, gets blocked.
In children, certain factors can increase the risk of OME. These include:
Having frequent colds Being around a smoker Lack of breastfeeding Being bottle-fed while lying straight or on their back Having a history of yearly or seasonal ear infections Symptoms Of OME
Common symptoms of OME include:
Muffled hearing Feeling of fullness in the ear Balance problems and dizziness are often more common in young children. Earaches Hearing problems In young children, do not ignore when they turn up the volume on the TV, have difficulty following conversations, or seem withdrawn due to hearing difficulties. They might also pull or tug on their ears.
Treatment Options
According to WebMD, OME-associated fluid buildup clears away in 4-6 weeks without any treatment.
In certain cases where the child has any other infection apart from OME, doctors may prescribe antibiotic medications.
In cases where OME does not go away even in 2-3 months, doctors may recommend a surgical procedure known as myringotomy, which creates a hole in the eardrum to allow fluid to drain out.
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What Is Otitis Media With Effusion?
Otitis media with effusion (OME) refers to fluid buildup in your middle ear. It usually happens when the fluid can't drain out of your ear, typically after an infection.This type of ear infection is common in children ages six months to three years. OME affects males more than females.
The fluid generally clears up on its own within four to six weeks. It may persist, though, and the child may need to undergo surgery.
Otitis media with effusion (OME) is also known as serous otitis media or secretory otitis media (SOM). This condition occurs when non-infected fluid builds up in the middle of your ear. You may feel like something is stuck in your ear.
Otitis media with effusion is more likely to occur if you have a sore throat, upper respiratory infection, or cold.
It is estimated that around 80% to 90% of children will have one episode of otitis media with effusion before they reach school-age.
Otitis media with effusion is primarily caused by dysfunction of the eustachian tubes, the pathways that connect your throat to the middle ear regions. The tubes also stabilize the pressure between your middle ear and the air. When a tube swells or is blocked, it restricts the normal drainage of your ear fluid from the middle ear. This results in the collection of the fluid behind the eardrum.
Factors causing eustachian tube dysfunction can also lead to otitis media with effusion. Some otitis media with effusion causes include:
An undeveloped eustachian tube in children Inflamed adenoids, or lymphatic tissues in the back of the nose and the throat that can affect the speaking and breathing of children Colds, allergies, or upper respiratory infections. These conditions can cause swelling or congestion in your nose, throat, or eustachian tube. A structural defect in the formation of the eustachian tube. The signs and symptoms of OME usually vary from child to child.
Some common otitis media with effusion symptoms include:
These symptoms are not always the result of otitis media with effusion; they may be the result of another underlying health condition.
Depending upon the severity of your child's condition, the doctor will recommend some treatment options.
Monitoring
The fluid buildup in OME usually goes away within four to six weeks without any treatment.
Medications
The OME fluid is not infected, so the doctor won't suggest antibiotics immediately. But if your child has any other infection apart from OME, they may prescribe you antibiotic medications.
Most doctors avoid antihistamines and decongestants, as they have no significant impact on otitis media with effusion.
Ear Tubes or Myringotomy
Sometimes, the otitis media with effusion symptoms don't go away even after two or three months. It may affect their performance and development. In this case, the doctor may recommend a surgical procedure known as myringotomy.
This surgery involves the insertion of ear tubes (myringotomy tubes). First, the surgeon makes a small hole in the eardrum to drain the fluid. Then, a small tube is placed in this opening to prevent fluid buildup in the future.
After the procedure, the child's hearing is restored, but it takes six to 12 months for the tubes to fall out on their own.
Every child is at risk of developing otitis media with effusion symptoms, but some factors can increase your child's risk of developing them, including:
Having frequent colds Spending most of their time in a day care setting Being around a smoker Lack of breastfeeding Being bottle-fed while lying straight or on their back Having a history of yearly or seasonal ear infections Craniofacial dysfunction (e.G., cleft palate) Ear infections can indicate potential underlying health issues. If you observe any otitis media with effusion symptoms, you should seek immediate help from a doctor.
You should see a doctor when:
The symptoms don't go away after 24 hours. Your child's age is less than six months. In this case, you should ask for prompt treatment. Your child complains about unbearable ear pain. You see any kind of fluid or pus coming out of your child's ears. Your child faces difficulties sleeping due to respiratory infection or cold. Acute Otitis Media
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