222) Answer

B. Avoiding contact with people who have upper respiratory infections

Rationale

•Acute otitis media generally follows a respiratory infection, it is important to avoid contact with people having upper respiratory infections.

•Inflammation of the middle ear is the most prevalent disease of childhood after respiratory infections.

•There is a higher incidence of acute otitis media in formula-fed infants than those who are breast-fed because of the more slanted position that formula-fed infants are held in while feeding. This allows milk to enter the Eustachian tube.

•Most cases of acute otitis media are caused by bacteria and treated with antibiotics such as amoxicillin. If the infection is viral, antivirals are reserved for severe cases only.