Personal stories about treatment for fluid behind the eardrum

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Personal stories about treatment for fluid behind the eardrum

These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions.

Ramon, age 45: My little boy, Mateo, is 5 years old. He has only had two ear infections, but he still has fluid behind his eardrum since this last infection. The fluid has been behind his eardrum for 3 months now. It doesn't seem to bother him. I'm going to have Mateo's hearing tested and, if it is okay, I'm just going to wait to see if the fluid will go away on its own.

Wilson, age 33: My daughter, Sarah, is almost 3 years old. A few months ago, she had her fourth ear infection, and this time there is still fluid behind her eardrum. I am worried. I don't want Sarah to have trouble with her speech. I have heard about putting tubes in children's ears to help drain fluid. Even though surgery is scary, I'm going to go ahead and talk with Sarah's doctor about having it done. Sarah is tired of taking medicines, and I don't want Sarah to have any hearing loss.

Michelle, age 25: My daughter, Amanda, is 4. She just had her first ear infection 4 months ago and still has fluid behind her eardrum. I had her hearing tested, and there is no problem. The fluid doesn't seem to bother her. Amanda really hates to take medicine, so I'm just going to wait and see if the fluid will go away on its own.

Rachel, age 42 : My son, Saul, is 7 years old. Saul has only had a few ear infections, and none of them have caused much trouble. This last infection, however, was worse than any other. It started 5 months ago. The doctor gave Saul antibiotics, and that seemed to help. The problem is that Saul still has fluid behind his left eardrum. It doesn't really bother him, except he says that his ear seems "stuffy." We have tried letting it get better on its own, but it isn't changing. We're going to go ahead and talk with Saul's doctor about trying antibiotics again.

Credits

Author	Debby Golonka, MPH
Editor	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA
Associate Editor	Denele Ivins
Associate Editor	Pat Truman
Primary Medical Reviewer	Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics
Specialist Medical Reviewer	Charles M. Myer, III, MD - Otolaryngology
Last Updated	February 28, 2007

Last updated:	February 28, 2007
Author:	Debby Golonka, MPH
Reviewed By:	Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics, Charles M. Myer, III, MD - Otolaryngology
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman

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