For a 3-year-old with acute otitis media, what is the recommended treatment duration?

• A. 5 days
• B. 5-7 days
• C. 10 days
• D. Until symptoms resolve

Answer: (B)

The important idea is that antibiotic duration for acute otitis media in kids depends on age and illness severity. A 3-year-old falls into the group where a shorter course is appropriate if the infection is mild to moderate. Therefore, five to seven days of antibiotics is the typical recommendation. Five days can be enough for a milder course and quick improvement, while seven days is used if the symptoms are more bothersome or slower to respond. Ten days is generally reserved for younger children (under 2) or for more severe infections or poor response. Treating for a fixed duration helps ensure adequate treatment and reduces the risk of resistance, rather than stopping only when symptoms completely resolve, which can vary and sometimes lead to undertreatment.