Question
A 7-year-old boy, in elementary school, recently told his parents that his ear hurts a bit. There is yellow earwax, and he doesn’t want to eat anything. His throat also feels uncomfortable. How should otitis media with yellow fluid in the ear be treated in children?
Answer
When treating pediatric otitis media, symptomatic medication can be used based on the child’s symptoms, and the ear secretions can be cultured for bacteria. Then, anti-inflammatory ear drops can be used according to the test results. When the child’s ear pain is severe, consider giving a moderate amount of pain reliever to relieve the pain. If there is a high fever, a moderate amount of antipyretic medication can be used. If the fever persists, medical attention should be sought promptly. In case of severe symptoms such as perforation of the eardrum, immediate medical attention is required. It is recommended to eat a light diet and consume mainly liquid foods during treatment.