My 18 mo old has a fever & a pus-like orange fluid in her ear. could the fluid be from a rupture?

Not necessarily.: While the fever and orange discharge from the ear are consistent with a ruptured eardrum due to an otitis media (ear infection), it could be from an infected ear canal (otitis externa), and could be liquidy wax. The child should be evaluated by a pediatrician as untreated infections in early life can have significant consequences, and to evaluate for other possible diagnoses.