The first step is to visit your family doctor or your child’s pediatrician. The best would be to see a specialist in ear, nose and throat or an otolaryngologist.
Older children should be talked to before a doctor visit. Ask them questions before the doctor so you can explain it better to the doctor later.
Parents can help doctors diagnose and treat the infection by preparing for the following questions.
- Has the child experienced an ear injury? If yes, explain to the doctor when and how the injury happened.
- When did the child start to feel pain?
- Was the pain constant, or has it come and go?
- Have you noticed something making the pain better or worse?
- Which symptoms have you noticed on your child that helped you conclude it was suffering pain?
If your child has been treated for Acute Otitis Media in the past than you should be ready to answer the following questions:
- How long ago was the child treated?
- With which medication have you treated the child?
- Did you finish treating your child with the prescribed medication?
- Have you visited a doctor after you finished treating and curing the child with medication?
- Does your child have a fever, cold, a runny nose, a cough, or congestion? If yes, how long does it suffer from the same?
- How have you treated your child at home, others from prescribed medications? In other words, which alternative means of treatment have you used?
- Does your child have any kind of hearing aids in use?
- What immunizations has your child had in the past?
- Have you noticed a hearing problem with your kid?
Continue Reading: Middle Ear Infection – Acute Otitis Media – Symptoms, Causes, Prevention >
