Question
A 7-year-old boy, in elementary school, has been constantly tugging at his ear, feeling it itchy, with a lot of yellow earwax. He also experiences headaches and fever. What should be the treatment for such symptoms of pediatric otitis media?
Answer
Generally speaking, for pediatric otitis media, administering antibiotics to the child can be considered, as this is usually an effective treatment method. Additionally, a bacterial culture of ear secretions can be performed to use anti-inflammatory ear drops based on the results. If the child experiences severe symptoms such as ear pain and purulent discharge, some painkillers may be recommended to relieve the symptoms. Some children may also have fever, in which case oral fever-reducing medication can be taken. If the symptoms cannot be relieved, it is essential to seek professional medical assistance. The aforementioned methods are currently among the more commonly used treatments for otitis media. Moreover, if there is a perforation of the eardrum, timely surgical treatment is required. Parents should also take precautions to protect their children to prevent a recurrence of otitis media.