To prevent otitis media (middle ear infection), attention must be paid to reducing risk factors.
Behavioral risk factors
- Consumption of stimulants
- Tobacco (smoking) and passive smoking
- Care should be taken to avoid frequent exposure to cigarette smoke or excessive pacifier sucking by children. Similarly, being with many other children can contribute to the occurrence of otitis media – but this is not a reason to keep a child away from other children permanently.
- Contact with many people increases the risk of infection
- Lactation – Breastfeeding the infant for the first three months of life is important for building a well-functioning immune system and can significantly help reduce the risk.
Prevention factors (protective factors)
- Breastfeeding during the first six months of life (2).
- Avoidance of tobacco smoke exposure (2, 3).
- Avoidance of pacifier, feeding bottle, etc.
- Haemophilus influenzae vaccination
- Influenza vaccination (flu vaccination) – children vaccinated against influenza were on average 20% less likely to develop acute otitis media
- Pneumococcal vaccination – vaccinated children are less likely to have otitis media and less likely to receive a tympanostomy tube.
- Insertion of tympanostomy tubes, if necessary in combination with adenotomy (pharyngectomy).
