Browse categories and answer follow-up questions to refine your symptom profile.
Immediate priorities
Triage and stabilization
Airway and breathing compromise
Stridor
Respiratory distress
Circulatory instability
Hypotension
Toxic appearance
High risk infection patterns
Suspected meningitis
Suspected mastoiditis
Suspected sepsis
Pain and fever control
Early analgesia
Antipyretics for discomfort
Red flags and escalation triggers
Urgent ENT or ED escalation triggers
Complications
Postauricular swelling
Pinna displacement
Mastoid tenderness
Facial nerve weakness
Vertigo with nystagmus
Severe persistent otalgia
Intracranial concern
Neck stiffness
Altered mental status
Severe headache
Persistent vomiting
Immunocompromised state
Neutropenia
Post transplant
High dose steroids
Neonates and young infants
Age under 3 months with fever
Poor feeding
Diagnostic confirmation at bedside
Otoscopy essentials
Middle ear effusion evidence
Bulging tympanic membrane
Reduced mobility on pneumatic otoscopy
Air fluid level behind tympanic membrane
Otorrhea not due to otitis externa
Acute inflammation evidence
Marked erythema of tympanic membrane
Distinct otalgia onset within 48 hours
Alternative diagnoses exclusion
Otitis externa findings
Cerumen impaction obscuring membrane
Foreign body
SymptomDx is an educational tool for medical professionals. It does not replace clinical judgment. Verify all clinical data and drug dosages with authoritative sources.