Is otitis media contagious from kissing? | Infectiousness of an otitis media

Is otitis media contagious from kissing?

The germs of the underlying infection can be transmitted via kisses. However, the risk of infection is lower when kissing than when shaking hands, for example. This is due to the fact that there are comparatively fewer pathogens in the mouth and that these germs then reach the stomach by swallowing. Once in the stomach, they meet the gastric acid. The pathogens of an infection that has caused an inflammation of the middle ear, for example, usually do not survive this.

Is otitis media contagious if you take an antibiotic?

The risk of infection of the underlying infection of a middle ear infection is not eliminated immediately after taking an antibiotic. Depending on the disease, the risk of infection is over after taking the antibiotic after the 2nd – 3rd day. Usually the antibiotic has killed the bacteria after 48 hours.

The risk of infection in a patient with middle ear infection is then over, but the person affected is not yet healthy. It is therefore strongly recommended that even if the risk of infection is reduced or eliminated, the body should be given the necessary time to regenerate. It is recommended that people with middle ear infection, even if it is no longer contagious, continue to take it easy until the person affected is really healthy again.

In addition, the risk of infection depends on how the affected person reacts to the antibiotic. The risk of infection can therefore be individual to a certain extent. In very immunocompromised persons, the risk of infection may also last longer.

What can you do yourself to prevent infection?

In order not to infect yourself, you should minimize situations in which germs fly in the air. If this is not possible, care should be taken to ensure that no air conditioning systems spread the germs in the air and rooms with many people should be ventilated frequently. Heating air also increases the spread of germs by drying out the mucous membranes.

Dry mucous membranes are more susceptible to pathogens. For this reason, care should generally be taken to keep the mucous membranes moist by ensuring that there is a sufficient amount of drinking water and, if possible, humidifying the air. In case of contact with surfaces susceptible to germs or skin contact with foreign hands, the hands should be disinfected or washed thoroughly.

There is a controversial discussion about what is more effective. In contact with people, a distance of about 2 meters should be kept. Researchers found out that a sneeze can fly 12 meters.

However, this distance is difficult to maintain in some situations. In addition, the general immune system should be strengthened by an adequate supply of vitamins and nutrients and exercise (in nature at best). In order to prevent infection of others, you should keep your germs with you if possible.

If possible, as a person “infected” oneself, one should avoid close contact with others, shaking hands and the like. If you have to sneeze, it is recommended that you sneeze into the crook of your arm rather than into your hand, as the germs are passed on directly or indirectly (e.g. via door handles) via the hands.