instruction: hi doctor I had an ear infection about two weeks ago and just finished the antibiotic in the past two weeks I have had a fluid stuck in my middle ear with no relief there is a lot of uncomfortable pressure in my ear and my hearing is completely blocked on that side I believe my eustachian tube is blocked I have tried a number of decongestant and also the valsalva method but nothing has worked I have a few very clear photos of my eardrum I could show you if that helps also in the past few days bubbles are present in the fluid behind the eardrum please help
output: hello I have seen the photos attachment removed to protect the patient identity it appears that after the ear infection there is some fluid accumulation inside the middle ear we call it otitis media with effusion this is quite common after an ear infection and usually occurs due to some remnant inflammation inside the eustachian tube that prevents the flow of mucus from the middle ear into the throat through that tube this can be confirmed clinically by otoscopic or endoscopic examination additionally the hearing loss can be quantified by pure tone audiogram pta and the fluid confirmed by the curve in impedance audiometry do you have any pictures of the drum or the tests if so please share it with me usually the effusion takes a couple of weeks to resolve and needs a different type of medicine than the one given for infection you need decongestant oral and local nasal sprays antiallergics and a mild anti inflammatory agent do revert back to me with more details and we shall discuss what has to be done do not do valsalva if there is any nasal block or congestion still as that would push the mucus further into the tubes and increase the block