Question
A 12-year-old boy, in elementary school, has been complaining of ear pain recently. He has noticed yellow earwax and a buzzing sound in his ear, along with a slight fever. How should earache caused by pediatric otitis media be treated?
Answer
Antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medications are the current methods and drugs for treating pediatric otitis media in clinical settings. Parents can choose symptomatic medication. While taking medication, some regional treatments can also be conducted, such as using anti-inflammatory ear drops. If the symptoms are primarily ear pain, painkillers can be considered. Some children may also have a fever, in which case oral fever-reducing medication can be given. If the symptoms cannot be relieved, it is imperative to seek medical attention. In cases of repeated acute severe conditions or if there is a perforation of the eardrum, timely surgical treatment should be performed. At the same time, attention should also be paid to arranging a reasonable diet and sleep habits for the child to help the disease recover as soon as possible.