Researchers continue to look for help for children and parents of children who suffer from the most common type of ear infection, called middle ear infection or otitis media (OM). About 62 percent of children in developed countries will have their first episode of OM by the age of one, more than 80 percent by their third birthday, and nearly 100 percent will have at least one episode by age five. In the U.S. alone, this illness accounts for 25 million office visits annually with direct costs for treatment estimated at $3 billion. Health economists add that when lost wages for parents are included, the total cost of estimated treatments mounts to $6 billion. This is a big problem, but there may be a link between an ear infection and vaccines that could help.
Treatments
The usual treatment options for children with middle ear infections include 1) antibiotics, and 2) surgical insertion of pressure-equalizing tubes in the ears. While studies have shown that antibiotics can be helpful in certain cases, excessive use can lead to bacterial resistance, making infections more difficult to treat. Tubes sometimes do not equalize pressure enough or may need reinsertion over time.
What about ear infection and vaccines?
A vaccine is a preparation administered to stimulate the body’s own defense system to combat specific bacteria or viruses. The first vaccine was introduced in the 18th century for the prevention of smallpox. Today, each vaccine is designed to resemble a particular virus or bacteria (or group of viruses and bacteria). When administered, the vaccine triggers the defense system without actually causing illness. This helps the body to develop a defense (antibodies) against the virus or bacteria so that if they enter the body, you will not get sick. Today, vaccines exist to combat a wide range of viruses and some bacteria.
One of the most common and potentially serious bacteria to cause ear and sinus infections and pneumonia and meningitis is the pneumococcus. Recently a vaccine was developed that is effective against several common strains of pneumococcus.
Your child’s physician will advise you on appropriate vaccines for your child. If the pneumococcal vaccine is offered to your child, you may want to know:
The conjugate pneumococcal vaccine: This latest advance in pediatric healthcare prevents diseases caused by seven of the most common types of pneumococcal bacteria. It is safe and effective. It protects against serious forms of the disease up to 97 percent of the time, depending on the person. The vaccine is given by a needle. The side effects, which are usually minor and temporary, include some redness, swelling or tenderness from the injection, and a mild fever. Serious side effects, including allergic reactions, are quite rare. It can be given to infants, and there is no other vaccine to prevent pneumococcal disease in children less than two years of age. In 2002 the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommended the vaccine for infants and toddlers under the age of five.
Conjugate vaccines are effective against otitis media in children under the age of five because they have a polysaccharide component linked to a protein component that an infant’s immature defense system can recognize. Children older than five, whose defense systems have matured, may receive a pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine without the protein component.
How does this relate to otitis media? Here are issues to consider.
Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria (commonly known as pneumococcus) are thought to cause 50 to 60 percent of cases of otitis media. Before this vaccine was available, each pneumococcal infection caused:
- about five million ear infections;
- more than 700 cases of meningitis;
- 13,000 blood infections (septicemia); and
- other health problems including pneumonia, deafness, and brain damage.
Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) and Moraxella catarrhalis vaccine
Two other common bacteria that cause ear and sinus infections are nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) and Moraxella catarrhalis. Recently, the National Institutes of Health has issued a license for the first clinical trials for a nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) vaccine. Vaccines to prevent viral infections like the flu that can eventually lead to ear infections should be considered for children with recurring ear infections. These vaccines are usually administered in the fall.
Frequently Asked Questions
Otitis media, or middle ear infection, is the most common type of ear infection affecting children. About 62 percent of children in developed countries have their first episode by age one, over 80 percent by age three, and nearly all children experience it by age five. This condition results in millions of doctor visits annually and significant healthcare costs.
The usual treatments for middle ear infections include antibiotics and surgical insertion of pressure-equalizing tubes. While antibiotics can be effective, overuse may lead to bacterial resistance. Tubes help equalize ear pressure but might not always be sufficient and may require reinsertion.
Vaccines stimulate the body’s immune system to fight specific bacteria or viruses without causing illness. For ear infections, vaccines like the conjugate pneumococcal vaccine protect against common bacteria such as pneumococcus, which is responsible for many cases of otitis media. This reduces the risk and severity of infections.
The conjugate pneumococcal vaccine protects against seven common strains of pneumococcal bacteria and is safe and effective for infants and toddlers under five years old. It can prevent serious diseases like ear infections, meningitis, and pneumonia, with mild side effects such as redness or fever. It is recommended by the CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics for young children.
Children under five have immature immune systems that respond better to conjugate vaccines, which combine a polysaccharide component with a protein to elicit a stronger immune response. This makes the vaccine effective in preventing otitis media and other diseases caused by pneumococcus in young children.
Other bacteria causing ear infections include nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) and Moraxella catarrhalis. Research is ongoing to develop vaccines targeting these bacteria to further reduce the incidence of ear and sinus infections in children.
Yes, vaccines are available to prevent viral infections like influenza, which can sometimes lead to secondary ear infections. Children prone to recurring ear infections are often recommended to receive flu vaccines, typically administered in the fall, to help reduce these risks.
