Current approaches to otitis media

Acute otitis media is the most commonly diagnosed illness in children, and is one of the most common reasons for antibiotic prescription. In many coun tries, antibiotic resistance is increasing among the bacteria that are impl icated in acute otitis media, particularly Streptococcus pneumoniae. This e volution should stimulate changes in the management of acute otitis media, particularly the following: improvement in diagnostic accuracy; reduction i n antibiotic use; selection of the most appropriate drugs at the appropriat e dosage; reduction in duration of treatment, when possible; and implementa tion of new vaccines. Curr Opin Infect Dis 14:337-342 (C) 2001 Lippincott W illiams & Wilkins.