How to handle when children have otitis media with pus

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was professionally consulted by Dr. Le Thu Phuong - Department of Pediatrics - Neonatology - Vinmec Hai Phong International General Hospital.
Purulent otitis, also known as otitis externa, means purulent fluid drains from the ear. Drainage is a sign that your ear has been damaged, or has a serious infection that requires medical attention.

1. Treatment of purulent otitis media in young children

Inflammation of the middle ear, epidermoid cyst, perforation of the eardrum (push cotton swab too deep into the ear, due to noise, airplane / diving) ... are considered the main causes of otitis media. In addition, otitis media can also be caused by skull fracture, but this cause is less common.
The treatment of purulent otitis media depends on the cause. In some cases, you don't necessarily need medical attention. Treatment for purulent otitis media in children depends on many factors, including the child's age and symptoms. Specifically:
Wait and observe the next course of the disease The symptoms of an ear infection will usually show up in the first day or two, and most will go away on their own within one to two weeks without needing to be treated. treat.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Family Physicians, waiting and observing the course of the disease is considered a treatment for purulent otitis media and this treatment is recommended for : The child has mild inner ear pain, possibly one or both ears, but the pain is less than 48 hours, and the child has a fever below 39 degrees.
Control the pain The doctor will suggest a few ways to relieve pain when you have an ear infection, including: Using warm compresses, pain relievers. With pain relievers, note: Use the medicine according to the instructions on the label. Caution should be exercised when giving aspirin to children and adolescents.
Use antibiotic therapy

Up to two-thirds of cases of otitis media are caused by bacteria, so antibiotics will help in this case. After an initial observation period, your doctor will give you some antibiotics to treat purulent otitis media in the following situations: Children 6 months of age and older with moderate to severe pain one or both ears, within 48 hours, or a high fever of 39 degrees Celsius or higher
Note: Children younger than 6 months of age when diagnosed with acute otitis media are more likely to require antibiotic treatment without having to wait to observe the initial symptoms.
As symptoms get worse, antibiotics should be used as directed. Using antibiotics incorrectly can cause the infection to return again and again and the bacteria will also develop resistance to the drug.
Ear Catheter If your child has repeated otitis media or otitis media with purulent otitis media, the doctor will recommend methods to drain the pus from the middle ear. During surgery a small tube (tympanic tube) is placed at the opening of the eardrum to help ventilate the middle ear and prevent the accumulation of too much fluid. Some tubes can be left in the ear for six months to a year and then fall out on their own or be removed.

2. Chronic purulent otitis media

Chronic purulent otitis media can lead to perforation of the tympanic membrane, the treatment of chronic purulent otitis media is quite difficult, usually using antibiotic ear drops as indicated.

3. How to prevent purulent otitis media?

To avoid ear infections, try to stay away from people who are sick. According to the Mayo Clinic, breast milk can help protect young children from ear infections, because babies will receive the antibodies contained in breast milk. If you're bottle-feeding, try to get your baby to drink from a standing position and limit them from lying down.

Avoid putting foreign objects in the ear to help avoid perforating the eardrum. If you must be in a very noisy place, bring headphones or an ear cap to protect your eardrums. The prompt and timely treatment of purulent otitis media is very important and necessary. Therefore, when detecting symptoms, it is necessary to see a specialist immediately for advice and treatment to protect healthy ears. Ear, Nose and Throat Specialist - Vinmec International General Hospital is an address specializing in the examination and treatment of otitis media as well as common ear, nose and throat diseases, head and neck tumors, and congenital malformations of the ear. nasopharynx by common surgical methods such as surgery, microscopic or endoscopic tympanic patch, fistula removal surgery, Bondy surgery, nasopharyngeal aerosolization, nasal constriction injection, nasal burning...

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