If My Ear Hurts, Do I Have an Infection?

March 2, 2023

Ear pain can be caused by many different things, ranging from minor inconveniences to severe infections. If you start to notice mild pain or a feeling of pressure in your inner ear, keep an eye on your symptoms.

One common reason for ear aches is an ear infection. If you are concerned about your ear pain, don’t hesitate to come in to see us for an evaluation.

Our AFC Urgent Care Ooltewah team explains the pain associated with an ear infection below, so check it out.

What Causes Ear Infections?

Like other infections in the body, ear infections are commonly caused by viruses or bacteria. When a virus or bacteria gets introduced into your inner ear, it can cause pressure behind your eardrum and block the tubes that lead into your body. This can cause pain, a fever and other symptoms of infection.

Ear infections are incredibly common, especially in young children. In fact, they are so common that the majority of children will have at least one ear infection before their third birthday. If your child is starting to experience ear pain, visit with your care team quickly to diagnose and treat it.

Symptoms of an Ear Infection

Pain inside ear
Fever
Discharge coming from ear
Feeling pressure in your ear
Difficulty hearing

Can Ear Infections Be Treated?

They can! In some cases, an ear infection will eventually resolve itself in a few days with rest. In other instances, antibiotics may be needed to fully eradicate the infection. The best way to know for sure how to treat your infection is to come see us for an evaluation.

We will do an examination of your ear and look for pus in your middle ear. If we determine that antibiotics are not needed for your specific case, drinking plenty of water, resting and taking some OTC pain medication for symptom relief will help you feel better while your body works to overcome the infection.