Question
A 4-year-old girl has been experiencing some ear pain over the past few days, with occasional discharge of yellow fluid. She has also lost her appetite and feels discomfort in her throat. How should a child with ear discharge be treated?
Answer
Parents should consult with a doctor to choose the appropriate antibiotic or anti-inflammatory medication for their child to alleviate inflammatory symptoms. Regional treatment with anti-inflammatory ear drops can be used for the child. If the child primarily exhibits ear pain, a moderate dose of pain relievers can be administered to alleviate the pain. If fever is present, consider taking antipyretics, but if the fever persists, it is crucial to seek medical attention promptly. The aforementioned methods are commonly used for treatment. If the child shows symptoms of tympanic membrane perforation, immediate hospital treatment and surgical intervention are required. It is important to maintain a light diet, and during treatment, consume mainly liquid foods.