A 2-year-old boy is brought to the clinic with a fever and tugging at his right ear. He has had a cold for the past week. On examination, his right tympanic membrane is red and bulging. What is the likely diagnosis and treatment?
This child's symptoms and physical findings are indicative of acute otitis media (AOM). Treatment typically involves pain control and, depending on the severity of symptoms and the child's age, may include antibiotics to combat the infection. Amoxicillin is often the first-line antibiotic of choice unless the child is allergic.