Final answer:
To cure a middle ear infection, treatments include pain management with over-the-counter medications, oral antibiotics, myringotomy with tube insertion, and potentially adenoidectomy for recurrent cases.
Step-by-step explanation:
The four treatments for curing a middle ear infection, also known as acute otitis media (AOM), typically include:
- Observation and pain management with over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, especially if the infection is mild and symptoms are not severe.
- Prescription of oral antibiotics like amoxicillin, for bacterial infections when symptoms are severe or do not improve within a few days of onset.
- For cases of recurrent or persistent fluid build-up, myringotomy with the insertion of tubes may be considered to allow fluid to drain from the middle ear.
- In instances of frequent and recurrent infections, referral for adenoidectomy might be advised to reduce nasal congestion and improve eustachian tube function.
Special care should be taken in selecting antibiotics to prevent resistance, as certain bacteria, such as Pseudomonas spp., can be resistant to common treatments.