Question
A 11-year-old boy, in elementary school, has been experiencing some ear pain recently, along with occasional yellow fluid discharge. He also has headaches and a fever. How should one treat a child with otitis media who has difficulty hearing?
Answer
The first step in treating a child’s otitis media is to administer anti-inflammatory medication. Regional drug treatment can also be considered, such as using ear drops for anti-inflammatory purposes. If the child’s ear pain is severe, painkillers can be given. When the child has a fever, either a fever-reducing medicine can be administered or the child should be taken to the hospital immediately. If there are repeated acute severe symptoms or if there is already a perforation in the eardrum, timely surgical treatment should be sought. During the treatment period, it is important to keep warm and avoid catching a cold to prevent exacerbation of symptoms.