Question
My child is a 2-year-old boy. This week, he said his ear hurts, and I’ve noticed that there’s occasionally yellow fluid coming out. He also seems to have little appetite and is rather weak. How should a child with otitis media and purulent discharge be treated?
Answer
If a child has otitis media, symptomatic anti-inflammatory medication can be used. Parents can give the child regional treatment with anti-inflammatory ear drops. If the child has severe ear pain and yellow fluid discharge, it is recommended to choose some painkillers to alleviate the symptoms. If the child is also feverish, parents can administer some fever-reducing medication. In severe cases, medical attention should be sought as soon as possible. Currently, common treatment methods for otitis media include the above-mentioned options, and timely surgical treatment is required in cases of tympanic membrane perforation. During the treatment period, it is important to keep the child warm and avoid exacerbating the symptoms due to colds.