serous_fluid_ear

Your Child has Serous Fluid in the Ear When fluid collects in the middle ear it is called serous fluid collection. The fluid can come from: ●

a blocked Eustachian tube

●

a cold

●

an old ear infection

●

enlarged adenoids

●

allergies

If a germ (bacteria) is the cause, your child may get an ear infection.

Antibiotics may or may not be needed to treat it. Serous ear problems are not contagious, and do not always need antibiotics.

Symptoms Your child may not always have symptoms such as fever or ear pain. Your child may have: ●

a feeling of fullness in the ear

●

a decrease in hearing

●

ringing in the ears

●

dizziness

Treatment Your child's doctor will talk with you about how to care for your child.

These are some general guidelines to help your chld get comfortable and to heal. ©2006-13 P&H Assoc., Inc This handout is for information only and is not meant to replace your doctors advice or treatment.

Page 1

Your Child has Serous Fluid in the Ear

●

●

●

●

●

Give your child non-aspirin medicine for pain, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol®) or ibuprofen (Motrin®). You may also use a less costly store brand. Read the directions on the box carefully or ask your child’s doctor how much to give. You may give Tylenol every 4 – 6 hours or Motrin every 6 – 8 hours.

If the ears are infected by bacteria, you child’s doctor may prescribe an antibiotic.

Allergies may be the cause of the problem. Ask your child’s doctor about allergy testing and give medicines as ordered by the doctor.

Your child may return to day care or school when he or she is feeling better If your child continues to have problems, and has no fever for 24 hours (without taking he or she may need surgery to help fever medicine.) prevent it from recurring.

Have your child’s ears rechecked if symptoms do not improve or become worse.

When to call the doctor: Call your child’s doctor if your child: ●

●

●

●

has symptoms that do not improve 48 hours after treatment is started has new symptoms that were not there when you saw the doctor has problems taking the antibiotic has redness or swelling of the skin behind the ear

Also call if you have any questions or concerns about how your child looks or feels.

©2006-13 P&H Assoc., Inc This handout is for information only and is not meant to replace your doctors advice or treatment.

Page 2