Fluid in the Middle Ear (Otitis Media with Effusion)

A Guide
Fluid in the

for
Questions
Middle Ear
Parents
and
(Otitis Media with Effusion)
Answers


A doctor said your child has fluid in the middle ear, also called
otitis (oh-TIE-tus) media with effusion (uh-FEW-zhun) (OME).
Fluid usually does not bother children, and it almost always goes
away on its own. This does not have to be treated with antibiotics,
unless it lasts for a few months. Here are some facts about OME
and ear infections.

What are the main kinds of ear infections?
? Swimmer’s ear (otitis externa) is an infection of the ear canal that
can be painful and is treated with eardrops.
? A middle ear infection, which a doctor might call “acute otitis
media” (AOM) may cause ear pain, fever, or an inflamed eardrum,
and is often treated with oral antibiotics.


What causes OME?
Are antibiotics ever needed for OME?

Fluid may build up in the middle ear for two
Sometimes antibiotics may be needed if the fluid is

reasons. First, when a child has a cold, the
still present after a few months and is causing
middle ear makes fluid just as the nose does
decreased hearing in both ears. For this reason, your

– it just doesn’t run out as easily from the
child will need an ear check in a few months. If

middle ear. Second, after a middle ear
there is still fluid in the middle ear, your child may

infection, fluid may take a month or longer to
need a hearing test.

go away.


What should I do?

? The best treatment is to wait and watch your
? On your next routine visit, the doctor will be able to

child. Since fluid in the middle ear rarely
tell you if the fluid has gone away.

bothers children, it is best to let it go away on its
-OR-

own. Right now, your child does not need
? You may need to schedule a visit to see the doctor

antibiotics.
again in a few months to be sure the fluid is gone.

Why not try antibiotics now?
Taking antibiotics when they are not needed can be harmful. Each time
someone takes antibiotics, they are more likely to carry resistant germs in
their noses and throats. These resistant germs cannot be killed by common
antibiotics. Your child may need more costly antibiotics or antibiotics given
by needle, or may even need to be in the hospital to get antibiotics. Since
OME will almost always get better on its own, it is better to wait and take
antibiotics only when they are needed.

---