Question
My daughter is 3 years old. Lately, she has been experiencing some pain in her ear, and occasionally, yellow fluid has been dripping out. Moreover, she seems to have little appetite and is feeling weak. How should we diagnose and treat otitis media in children with yellow fluid coming out of their ears?
Answer
If a child has otitis media, the first step is to use symptomatic antibiotic medication. Parents can give the child regional treatment with anti-inflammatory ear drops, and can also administer painkillers if the child has ear pain. If the child has a particularly severe fever, some antipyretic medication should be used in moderation. In severe cases, medical attention should be sought as soon as possible. In addition to these medication treatments, if the child’s condition is severe and there is a perforation of the eardrum, hospital surgery may be required. During the treatment period, it is important to ensure the child stays warm and to avoid catching a cold to worsen the symptoms.