I took 6 days worth of antibiotics for a chest cold and on the last day my ear completely stopped up. Why didn't the antibiotics stop this from happening? What can I do?
by 
Perk
ANSWERS: 3
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I hate to say this, but antibiotics aren't for chest colds. They are for bacterial infections. They do nothing for a viral infection, such as a common cold. And if you were prescribed antibiotics by your doctor I'm guessing that it wouldn't be for "six days worth". To make an antibiotic safe and effective you really need to take it for it's full duration which is usually 10 days depending on the antiobiotic. As for the stopped up ear, it will go away with time. Colds have a way of plugging up ears. Antibiotics cannot prevent this from happening.
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Antibiotics will help deal with an infection, but do not prevent middle ear fluid build-up. Most likely, your problem is due to the cold affecting your eustachian tubes. These tubes connect your middle ear to the back of your throat and help equalize pressure in the middle ear. If you have a cold, the tubes can swell shut which will lead to fluid build-up. You might want to try decongestants and see if that helps. You can also try performing the Valsalva maneuver to help pressurize your middle ear. You hold your nose shut, take a deep breath, close your mouth and try to blow--this directs the air into your Eustachian tubes. This often helps to clear the fluid from your middle ears faster.
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go back to your doctor and he'll let you know what to do
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