Question
A 7-year-old boy, in elementary school, recently reported ear pain and noticed occasional discharge of yellow fluid. He also had a slight fever. How should pediatric otitis media with purulent discharge be treated and diagnosed?
Answer
Antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs are the current methods and medications for treating pediatric otitis media. Parents can choose symptomatic treatment, and regional treatment can also be carried out in addition to systemic medication. Use anti-inflammatory ear drops for treatment. If the symptoms are mainly ear pain, consider giving painkillers. If the child has a particularly severe fever, then some antipyretic drugs should be used appropriately. In severe cases, it is necessary to seek medical attention as soon as possible. If the child has a perforated eardrum, it is recommended to go to the hospital for surgery promptly. During the treatment period, it is important to ensure the child’s warmth and avoid exacerbating symptoms.