The two predominant bacteria that cause otitis media include Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae type b, both of which can be prevented by immunization. It can also be caused by a viral vaccine-preventable disease.

Can you recall which vaccine-preventable disease is transmitted by airborne droplets and may lead to acute otitis media (AOM) as one of its complications?

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Measles is associated with several complications in young children, including AOM and pneumonia.

AOM is transmitted by airborne spread of the causative infectious agents in droplets, sprayed into the air when a sick person coughs or sneezes. The infection in the new host usually begins with a common cold, sore throat or measles.The presence of certain risk factors makes babies and young children more vulnerable to developing AOM (see box below).

Risk factors for acute otitis media

Age: most cases are below five years of age
Family history of otitis media
Winter season
Living in overcrowded conditions where other children have coughs or runny noses
Indoor air pollution from cooking fires (figure below) and/or tobacco smoke
Bottle-feeding a baby (breastfeeding offers some protection from URIs)
Poor nutrition, particularly when the child is not exclusively breastfed
HIV-infection in the child.

Smoke from indoor cooking fires escaping through the roof

Smoke from indoor cooking fires escapes from these round houses; indoor smoke pollution increases the risk of pneumonia and AOM. (Photo: Basiro Davey)