The majority of otitis media in 3-year-olds has an acute onset, i.e., acute otitis media, and usually the child improves after 2 weeks of regular antiviral and anti-infective treatment. Otitis media is an inflammation caused by bacterial or viral infection involving the middle ear structures. Patients may also develop otitis media secondary to rhinitis or adenoid hypertrophy blocking the eustachian tube. If otitis media is not treated in a timely manner, it can lead to suppurative otitis media, which can seriously affect hearing and stay with a person for a long time. Acute otitis media that is treated promptly usually improves in 2 weeks. In some patients, the formation of purulent otitis media can cause perforation of the eardrum. Small perforations can improve in about 2-4 weeks after treatment, while severe perforations may take years to recover. Therefore, otitis media must be detected, diagnosed and treated as early as possible. Patients are advised to pay attention to ear care during treatment, avoiding water as much as possible, not using violence to dig the ears, eating a light diet and getting enough sleep. If the condition does not improve in 2 weeks, there may be a risk of turning into chronic otitis media and an ENT physician should be consulted promptly.