Acute otitis media in children eight years old and older: a reappraisal of the role of Hemophilus influenzae.

The bacteriology of acute otitis media in 18 children eight to 17 years of age was investigated through the use of culture of middle ear exudate obtained by tympanic membrane puncture. Equal numbers of children had either Hemophilus influenzae (six) or Streptococcus pneumoniae (six) in the middle ear exudate. Acute otitis media in children through adolescence should be treated with antibiotics known to be effective against H. influenzae.