ASOM stands for Acute Suppurative Otitis Media, which is essentially an ear infection. More precisely, it's an acute inflammatory disorder of the middle ear caused by a bacterial infection.
Understanding ASOM: A Detailed Look
Here's a breakdown to help you understand ASOM:
- Acute: This means the infection develops rapidly and is of short duration.
- Suppurative: This indicates that the infection involves pus formation.
- Otitis Media: This refers to inflammation of the middle ear.
Key Features of ASOM
ASOM is characterized by:
- Inflammation of the middle ear.
- Presence of pus in the middle ear.
- Sudden onset of symptoms.
- Bacterial infection as the primary cause.
In simpler terms
Imagine bacteria entering the middle ear and causing inflammation and pus build-up. This leads to pain, pressure, and sometimes even temporary hearing loss. This condition is ASOM.