After an acute otitis media infection, how long may serous fluid remain in the middle ear?

Following an acute otitis media infection, serous fluid can remain in the middle ear for several weeks. This can occur as a result of the inflammation and irritation caused by the infection, which may lead to fluid accumulation even after the acute phase has resolved. The presence of fluid in the middle ear, known as otitis media with effusion, is relatively common after an infection and is often a normal part of the healing process. In many cases, the fluid may resolve on its own without the need for further intervention, although monitoring might be necessary to ensure that it is not causing further issues, such as hearing loss or additional infections.

This timeframe aligns with clinical observations that serous fluid can persist post-infection, highlighting the importance of follow-up care to assess resolution in pediatric and adult patients after an episode of acute otitis media.