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Fluid in ear
Also known as Discharge from ear and Otorrhea
Otitis media (Latin for "inflammation of the middle ear") is the medical term for middle ear infection. Although several subtypes of otitis media are distinguished, the term is often used synonymously with acute otitis media. It is very common in childhood.
Source: WikipediaWhat causes it?
The most common causes of fluid in ear are otitis media, otitis externa (swimmer's ear), and acute otitis media. Other possible causes, such as ear drum damage, are more rare.
What symptoms are related?
Within all the people who go to their doctor with fluid in ear, 82% report having ear pain, 45% report having fever, and 39% report having cough.
What might my doctor prescribe?
Common Tests and Procedures
Patients with fluid in ear often receive other diagnostic procedures (interview; evaluation; consultation), ophthalmologic and otologic diagnosis and treatment, other therapeutic ear procedures, tympanoplasty, diagnostic procedures on ear, tracheoscopy and laryngoscopy with biopsy, tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy and diagnostic procedures on nose; mouth and pharynx .
Common Medications
The most commonly prescribed drugs for patients with fluid in ear include ofloxacin, cefdinir, erythromycin / sulfisoxazole, cefprozil, neomycin (septa), dexamethasone-tobramycin ophthalmic, triethanolamine polypeptide oleate otic, gentamicins (gentamicin), triiodothyronine (cytomel), cefaclor (ceclor), hydrocortisone/neomycin/polymyxin b topical, pramoxine otic and naphazoline-pheniramine ophthalmic .
| Ofloxacin | $19 (14 days) | |
| Cefdinir | $37 (7 days) | |
| Cefprozil | $48 (7 days) | |
| Neomycin (Septa) | $51 (14 days) | |
| Dexamethasone-Tobramycin Ophthalmic | ||
| Triethanolamine Polypeptide Oleate Otic | ||
| Gentamicins (Gentamicin) | ||
| Triiodothyronine (Cytomel) | $32 (28 days) | |
| Cefaclor (Ceclor) | $37 (7 days) | |
| Pramoxine Otic | ||
| Naphazoline-Pheniramine Ophthalmic |
Who is at risk?
Groups of people at highest risk for fluid in ear include age 5-14 years, age 1-4 years and age < 1 years.
Age
| < 1 years | 2.6x | |
| 1-4 years | 5.7x | |
| 5-14 years | 2.0x | |
| 15-29 years | 0.6x | |
| 30-44 years | 0.4x | |
| 45-59 years | 0.5x | |
| 60-74 years | 0.5x | |
| 75+ years | 0.3x |
Sex
| Male | 1.3x | |
| Female | 0.8x |
Race/Ethnicity
| Black | 0.7x | |
| Hispanic | 1.2x | |
| White | 1.0x | |
| Other | 1.1x |
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