Question
A 11-year-old boy, in elementary school, has been experiencing some pain in his ear lately. He was found to have purulent, yellow earwax. Accompanied by headaches and fever, how should one treat hearing loss due to pediatric otitis media?
Answer
If a child has otitis media, anti-inflammatory medications can be used based on the symptoms, along with a bacterial culture of ear secretions and anti-inflammatory ear drops as indicated by the results. If the ear pain is severe, painkillers may be considered. For fever, antipyretics can be taken, and in case of high fever, medical attention should be sought promptly. In addition to medication, if there are severe conditions such as perforation of the eardrum, timely medical consultation is essential. Also, ensure the child gets ample rest and consumes plenty of fruits and vegetables.