Are Ear Infections Contagious?

Diagnosing ear infections

Ear infections are diagnosed through a medical exam.

The doctor looks in the ear canal with a medical instrument called the otoscope, which makes it possible to look in the ear canal down to the eardrum for signs of an inflammation and infection.

With the otoscope pointing in the ear the doctor looks to see if the eardrum is bulging indicating that fluid has gathered in the inner ear. If that fluid is red in color or cloudy that points to an infection in the middle ear.

The doctor also looks at the ear canal for skin irritation, inflammation, and redness. These are indications of a different kind of ear infection often referred to as swimmer’s ear. The doctor also looks for fluid leaking from the eardrum, which may or may not be infected, but indicates that the eardrum has been damaged.

Only after examining the ear can the doctor identify the type of ear infection present and what treatment is needed.

Recognizing ear infections in children

Ear infections are common among very young children (6 to 18 months old) and elementary school aged children. And they can be quite serious. If a young child has recurring ear infections it can lead to developmental and language delays and even permanent hearing loss. So it’s important to take your child to the doctor when you suspect they have an ear infection.

Children feel the same pain as adults when it comes to ear infections. But with the physical indications being in the ear and out of sight it might not be obvious when a very young child has an ear infection. Very young children, with their limited ability to speak, might not be able to tell you that their ears hurt. This can make it difficult to recognize that your child has an earache or infection.

Here are some signs that your child might have an ear infection:

• Fussines
• Loss of balance
• Change in appetite
• Change in eating habits
• Tugging and/or rubbing the ears
• Fever

Several of these can look like what happens with normal growth and development, making it easy to miss that your child has an ear infection.

Ear tugging or rubbing is the telltale sign for an ear infection in a very young child. When a child keeps tugging at their ears chances are they have an ear infection and should be seen by a doctor as soon as possible. If the child also has a fever (102°F for children 3 months or older, 100.4°F for infants up to 3 months old) that’s an indication of infection, definitely making it time to see a doctor.

Children have a few unique risk factors that make them prone to ear infections.

The most common is that their Eustachian tubes are shorter and more horizontal. This makes it easier for this connection between the middle ear and the respiratory system to become clogged and infected.

Other risk factors for children include:

• Lying on the back while drinking or feeding
• Using a pacifier
• Being around tobacco smoke
• Cleft palate or Down syndrome
• Premature birth

For very young children recurring ear infections (3 infections within 6 months or 4 infections within a year) can have longer term effects. The temporary hearing loss and disruption balance, sleep, and eating that comes with ear infections in very young children can lead to language and developmental delays. Repeated ear infections can also lead to permanent hearing loss.

If you suspect your child has an ear infection it’s best to see a doctor as soon as possible and have it diagnosed.

Causes of ear pain

There are two common types of ear infections and a third condition that looks a lot like an infection that can cause ear pain. Each type has a distinct cause and course of treatment.

The two types of ear infections are:

• Swimmer’s ear, also referred to as an outer ear infection or otitis externa (OE)
• Middle ear infection, or otitis media (OM)

The third condition is fluid in the ears, also referred to as serous otitis media (SOM) or otitis media with effusion (OME). This condition is caused by fluid building pressure against the eardrum. But there is no infection so no antibiotic or antifungal treatment will be prescribed.

Swimmer’s ear

Swimmer’s ear, also called otitis externa or an outer ear infection, is triggered by moisture in the ear canal that creates a welcoming environment for bacteria or fungus to grow.

It can also be caused by damage to the skin in the ear canal. Putting foreign objects in the ear, irritation from hair products, and dry skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, or acne can cause scratches, flaking, and inflame the skin in the ear canal.

Once the skin in the ear canal is affected inflammation and swelling occurs, causing pain, itchiness, and possibly pus to discharge. The treatment prescribed depends on whether a bacterial infection or fungus is present. Generally an outer ear infection clears up in 7-10 days, but it can last longer.

Prescribed Treatments for Swimmer’s Ear

The doctor may prescribe an ointment or drops to get rid of the bacteria or fungus present. Additionally, ear drops can be recommended to dry and clean out the ear canal.

Self Care for Swimmer’s Ear

You may find that a warm compress to the outside of the ear helps relieve pain and discomfort. Over the counter painkillers, like acetaminophen or ibuprofen, can also help. And keep your outer ear clean and dry.

Risk Factors for Swimmer’s Ear

• Swimming, bathing, or any activity that gets water in the ear canal
• Hot, humid climate
• Using earphones or earbuds
• Using swabs to clean ears
• Narrow or hairy ear canals
• Skin irritations or allergy that spread into the ear canal
• A medical condition that causes dry skin (like eczema) or increases the risk of skin infections (like diabetes)

Complications of Swimmer's Ear

While the most serious complications are rare, there are some more common complications to look for.

• Repeated infections
• Scar tissue in the ear canal
• Inflamed or burst eardrum
• Pus filled lump (abscess) in or around the ear
• Infection spread to the face or deeper layers of the skin (cellulitis)
• Infection spread to cartilage or bones within the skull (malignant otitis externa)

The most serious of these complications are more likely for people with a weakened immune system or an underlying medical condition.

Preventative measures you can take:

• Clean only the outer, visible part of the ear
• Don’t put foreign objects into the ear canal
• After swimming or bathing dry your outer ears well
• Use only clean, dry towels
• Don’t share used towels

Middle Ear Infection

Middle ear infection, or otitis media, often starts with a viral nose or throat infection, like a cold or the flu. The infection spreads to the middle ear through the Eustachian tubes, which can get blocked keeping mucus from draining away and creating the conditions for bacteria to grow.

Pain is felt when the buildup of mucus in the middle ear stretches the eardrum. The doctor, using an otoscope, looks at eardrum for signs of bulging or a tear. An infection is evident when the mucus build up behind the eardrum is red in color or cloudy. Mucus draining into the ear canal indicates a tear to the eardrum.

Middle ear infections can clear up completely in 1-2 weeks and the earache that comes with it can go away in 2-3 days. For this reason if there’s no clear indication of an infection the doctor might wait 48 hours before prescribing antibiotics.

Prescribed Treatments for Middle Ear Infection

When there is a clear indication of infection antibiotics are prescribed. The doctor may also ear drops that contain a painkiller and soften earwax to relieve the pain and pressure of the ear infection.

Self Care for Middle Ear Infection

A warm compress to the outside of the ear can help relieve pain and discomfort. Over the counter painkillers, like acetaminophen or ibuprofen, can also help.

Risk Factors for Middle Ear Infection

• Being prone to colds
• Being exposed to the flu
• Being in crowds and crowded environments
• Being around tobacco smoke
• Having a weakened immune system

Complications of Middle Ear Infections

Again, the most serious complications are rare. But there are other, more common, complications to look out for.

• Burst eardrum
• Vertigo (dizziness)
• Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
• Temporary hearing loss
• Temporary facial paralysis
• Infection spread to the mastoid bone behind the ear (mastoiditis)
• Infection spread to the inner ear (labyrinthitis)
• Infection spread to the brain and its lining (meningitis)

If the infection spreads see a doctor for a follow up. These are serious complications that can be life threatening.

Preventative measures you can take

• Practice good hygiene to avoid exposure to cold and flu
• Avoid people with cold or flu symptoms
• Get a flu shot
• Clean only the outer, visible part of the ear
• Don’t put foreign objects into the ear canal
• Wash your hands

Get on the road to recovery the same day at an urgent care clinic

Ear infections aren’t just painful, they can be dangerous. When left untreated ear infections can lead to serious complications, including hearing loss. When you suspect that you, or your young child, has an ear infection it’s important to quickly get diagnosed and start treatment.

Sometimes it’s just not possible to get in to see your regular doctor on the same day. Urgent care clinics offer same day care. You’ll be treated by a qualified, experienced medical professional in your neighborhood. Book your appointment online and your wait time is minimized.

With a same day appointment at an urgent care clinic you’ll be on the road to recovery in no time.