Went on a plane and for a week have been having ear pressure. went to gp and says lot of fluid in ear. will antibiotics help at all? been chewing gum

No antibiotics : Fluid in the middle ear from pressure changes from flying generally requires decongestants, mucus thinners(saline, guaifenesin), and sometimes nasal/ oral steroids. Chewing gum will stretch the Eustachian tube and help open it. See ENT if it persists beyond 2 weeks. A myringotomy(opening in eardrum) with or without a tube is sometimes necessary for persistent problems.

Fluid in the ear: It all depends on why the fluid is there. If you have an infection that is bacterial in nature, then antibiotics may do the trick. If your symptoms are related to allergies or eustachian tube dysfunction then you might want to try a decongestant. You could also try a nasal steroid but I would only suggest this if you have nasal symptoms as well.

Likely not: Unless the fluid becomes infected (which your doctor would have noted on the exam fairly easily) then antibiotics will not help. Allergy medications like Claritin or Claritin-D may help. Sometimes a prescription nose spray such as Flonase or Nasonex (mometasone) is tried. If the fluid remains for 4-6 weeks then you need to see an ENT for possible placement of a tube in the eardrum to drain the fluid.

Eustachian Tube: Eustachian tube dysfunction is common among plane travelers, SCUBA divers, or a trip to the mountains. This tube normally equalizes pressure in your inner ear. It dysfunctions with change in altitude or even with a cold or sinusitis - the tube closes off and you feel inner ear pressure . Treated with decongestant (OTC pseudophed behind the pharmacist counter). Antibiotics only help if infected.