Ear Infections: Otitis Media With Effusion, What is otitis media with effusion?

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Ear Infections: Otitis Media With Effusion
What is otitis media with effusion?
Otitis media with effusion means that there is fluid (effusion) in the middle ear. The middle ear is the space behind the eardrum. Fluid in the middle ear usually doesn’t bother children. It almost always goes away on its own in a few weeks to a few months. So, this kind of ear problem doesn’t usually need to be treated with antibiotics, unless the fluid doesn’t go away.
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What are the symptoms of otitis media with effusion?
Children who have otitis media with effusion may have the following symptoms:
•A feeling of fullness in the ear
•Muffled hearing
•Fluid that drains from the ears
•Some pain inside the ear (if your child is too young to speak and tell you his or her ear hurts, he or she may tug at the ear often)
•Trouble sleeping
•Irritability
•Fever
•Headache
Sometimes, otitis media with effusion does not cause any symptoms.
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What causes otitis media with effusion?
Fluid may build up in the middle ear for several reasons. When a child has a cold, the middle ear may produce fluid just like the nose does. A tube called the eustachian (say: “you-stay-shun”) connects the middle ear with the back of the nose. Normally, the eustachian tube lets fluid drain out of the middle ear. However, bacteria or viruses can infect the lining of your child’s eustachian tube causing it to swell. The adenoids (glands near the ear) can also become enlarged and block the eustachian tubes. It is also not a good idea to let your baby fall asleep with a bottle or to leave a bottle in the crib. Drinking while lying down may also block the eustachian tubes.

If the eustachian tubes are blocked, fluid in the ear cannot drain normally. If bacteria grow in the middle ear fluid, an effusion can become a middle ear infection (acute otitis). This will usually increase pressure behind the eardrum and cause a lot of pain. The eardrum will become red and bulging. If this happens,your child may need to be treated with antibiotics.

Children who have frequent ear infections can also develop otitis media with effusion after their infection is gone if the fluid stays in the middle ear.

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How is otitis media with effusion treated?
If your child is older than 6 months of age and only has mild symptoms, the best treatment is to let the fluid go away on its own. You can give your child an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as acetaminophen, (one brand: Children’s Tylenol) if he or she is uncomfortable. A warm, moist cloth placed over the ear may also help.
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FDA Warning
The. U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advises against the use of ear candles. Ear candles can cause serious injuries and there is no evidence to support their effectiveness. For more information, please visit the FDA Web site. Will my child need antibiotics?
Your child may need antibiotics if fluid is still there after a few months and is causing hearing loss or problems in both ears. For this reason, your child’s ears should be checked a few months after an ear infection. If the fluid is still there, a hearing test may be the next step. Your doctor may also recommend antibiotics if your child is under 6 months of age or gets frequent middle ear infections.
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Why not just try antibiotics right now?
Giving your child unnecessary antibiotics can be harmful. After each course of antibiotics, the germs in the nose and throat are more likely to become resistant. Resistant germs can’t be killed by the usual antibiotics. More expensive and powerful antibiotics have to be used. Some of these antibiotics must be given in the hospital and their side effects can be very unpleasant or even dangerous. Since fluid in the ears doesn’t usually bother children, it’s better to wait and only give antibiotics when they are necessary.

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