Ear Infection Q & A

What is an ear infection?

Ear infections often occur within the middle ear, when tubes inside the ears get clogged with mucus and fluid. You or your child may get an ear infection after contracting a virus, such as a cold. The infection often causes pain, and while sometimes can clear up on its own, ear infections may require treatment to prevent complications.

What are the symptoms of an ear infection?

Common signs and symptoms of ear infections in adults and children include:

• Ear pain
• Trouble hearing
• Drainage from the ear
• Fever
• Headache 
• Loss of appetite
• Fussiness, crying, or ear tugging in children
• Problems sleeping
• Balance issues

Complications that may result from repeated ear infections include speech delays in children, spreading of the infection, and eardrum damage.

See the Acton Urgent Care specialists for an evaluation if these or other symptoms last more than a day or two, produce severe ear pain, or your child is less than six months old. See your doctor right away if you or your child has bloody fluid or pus draining from the ear.

How are ear infections diagnosed?

When you arrive for an appointment at Acton Urgent Care, your provider reviews you or your child’s symptoms and medical history. The team checks vital signs and completes a physical examination by evaluating the ears, nose, eyes, throat, lungs, heart, and abdomen. They use a special instrument with a light to view the inner part of the ear.

What is the treatment for ear infections?

After determining the type of ear infection and its severity, your Acton Urgent Care specialist discusses treatment options, including:

Watchful waiting

Ear infections may clear up without any treatment. Because of this possibility and overusing antibiotics can lead to resistance, your doctor might recommend a wait and see approach first.

Pain-relieving medicines

Your doctor might recommend taking over-the-counter pain-relieving medications to optimize comfort while an ear infection heals.

Antibiotics

Taking antibiotics can treat ear infections that don’t clear up on their own.

Ear drops

Anesthetic ear drops offer pain relief when you or your child has an ear infection. Your provider might recommend special ear drops to help treat a tear or hole in the eardrum caused by an ear infection.

Don’t live with ear infection pain or let it progress to a serious complication. Schedule an appointment with Acton Urgent Care over the phone or online today, or simply walk in.