Fluid in ears

[thinkerbell]

Does fluid in your ears mean that they are infected or is this what leads to infection, or is this something that can clear up on its own with just a decongestant? Talking about an adult here not a child if that matters.

 

[cepmom]

fluid in the ear does not mean you have an ear infection. If the fluid does not drain out or dry up it can cause an ear infection eventually though. I would take an decongestant for a few days to see if if gets better. DD8 used to get ear infections quite frequently because she has allergies. The Dr put her on a decongestant year round to keep the fluid from building up. It has helped greatly....she hasn't had an ear infection in years.

 

[Christine]

Fluid in the ears won't necessarily become infected. I have had a 7 week "cold" and had some fluid in my ear most of last week. It never hurt but my ear "crackled" all the time and I felt pressure. I found that taking Sudafed during the day really helped and it finally resolved itself.

 

[Daisy Duck 5]

I went to the doctor for this a few months ago and she said take Advil Cold & Sinus and sleep on your side.

 

[thinkerbell]

Thanks guys. I went to the doctor because my ear hurt after about a 2 week cold. She told me I had fluid but no redness. She gave me a decongestant and an antibiotic--just in case there was bacteria in the fluid??? I don't like to take medicines and I am very rarely sick. I don't want to take the antibiotics. I think I will just try the decongestant for a while.
Next time, I will save myself a bunch of money and just try the Advil Cold and Sinus.

 

[Christine]

Thanks guys. I went to the doctor because my ear hurt after about a 2 week cold. She told me I had fluid but no redness. She gave me a decongestant and an antibiotic--just in case there was bacteria in the fluid??? I don't like to take medicines and I am very rarely sick. I don't want to take the antibiotics. I think I will just try the decongestant for a while.
Next time, I will save myself a bunch of money and just try the Advil Cold and Sinus.

I totally agree with not taking the antibiotic. My doctor gave me a "backup" prescription of an antibiotic for my 7-week "cold" in case my secretions turned green. They finally did and, in a week moment to get rid of this darn thing, I took it. What a mistake. I ended up getting sicker from the antibiotic, got diarrhea that is a possible c. difficile infection, and my intestines STILL aren't right one week later.

Do the decongestant. Also, I did sleep on my side and it helped. My right ear was clogged so I tried to sleep on my left side. Helps things drain better. What's going on is that your sinus membranes and eustachian tubes are swollen from the viral cold and stuff isn't moving. The decongestent will really help with the swelling.