The term “super-bacteria” refers to a type of bacteria that can resist most types of antibiotics. Now, there is evidence that one of these “super-bacteria” – the penicillin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae (PRSP) – is actually one of the things that causes otitis media, a common childhood ear infection.

Otitis media effects millions of children each year. For years, children have been given antibiotics for the condition.

This overuse of antibiotics may have given rise to a breed of super-bacteria which are entirely resistant to antibiotics. Evidence has been published that shows antibiotics not only are dangerous, but they are not effective in treating middle ear infections.

Researchers studied the findings of seven trials comparing antibiotic therapy with placebos in otitis media, and found little evidence to suggest that children given antibiotics had a shorter duration of symptoms, fewer recurrences, or better long-term outcomes than those who had received a placebo.

These studies suggest that natural treatments may be as effective, or even more effective than antibiotics in the treatment of otitis media.

The findings were made by Patrick J. Fitzgerald, M.D., of Stanford University, Joseph B. Robertson, Jr. M.D., and Christina Laane, M.S.

SOURCE: British Medical Journal, July 5, 1997, American Academy of Otolaryngology, Sept. 2, 1997, as published in Health Watch newsletter Fax: 1-602-732-9313.