What is Otitis Media

Otitis media means that the middle ear is red and swollen (inflamed) and full of fluid. The condition usually goes away on its own.

Follow these instructions at home:

• Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your doctor.
• If you were prescribed an antibiotic medicine, take it as told by your doctor. Do not stop taking the antibiotic even if you start to feel better.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your doctor. This is important.

Contact a doctor if:

• You have bleeding from your nose.
• There is a lump on your neck.
• You are not getting better in 5 days.
• You feel worse instead of better.

Get help right away if:

• You have pain that is not helped with medicine.
• You have swelling, redness, or pain around your ear.
• You get a stiff neck.
• You cannot move part of your face (paralyzed).
• You notice that the bone behind your ear hurts when you touch it.
• You get a very bad headache.

Summary

• Otitis media means that the middle ear is red, swollen, and full of fluid.
• This condition usually goes away on its own. In some cases, treatment may be needed.
• If you were prescribed an antibiotic medicine, take it as told by your doctor.