Question
A 9-year-old boy has been complaining of ear pain and occasionally yellow fluid discharge. He also has headaches and fever. How should pediatric otitis media with yellow discharge from the ear be treated?
Answer
Antibiotics or anti-inflammatory medications can be used appropriately. For more severe cases, regional treatments such as anti-inflammatory ear drops may be combined. If the symptoms are primarily ear pain, consider giving painkillers. If the child has a fever, parents can give fever-reducing medication or take the child to the hospital immediately. If there is a problem with tympanic membrane perforation, timely hospital treatment and surgery are required. Parents should also pay attention to protecting their children to prevent a recurrence of otitis media.