Sorry if this seems like a stupid question, but I've never had one. I have a cold+cough+sore throat and now, when I swallow, something in my left ear hurts too. I've tried looking this up, but didn't really find anything to address my particular situation. Is this a sign that I'm coming down w/ an ear infection or is it something else?
2006-10-29 19:12:26 · 11 answers · asked by lunareclipse341 1 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Infectious Diseases
more likely the swelling is blocking your eustachian tube, causing pressure imbalance...decongest with sudafed or afrin, plenty of liquids to drink.
2006-10-29 19:15:32 · answer #1 · answered by David B 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Even though the cold and cough suggest the infection you have is viral, it is worth a trip to the doctor. You could be developing a secondary infection (the primary, or first infection, would be the virus that is causing your cold symptoms). Secondary infections are usually bacterial, and they hit you when you are already down with something else.
Your doctor can check your ears, and do a swab of the area to test for bacteria - in my experience with ear/throat infections (which I am particularly prone to), if it is bacterial it will likely be caused by Streptococci (strep throat). In this case, a round of antibiotics will help you.
If you have a thoat swab done, ask for a 'QuickStrep' test, which is done using PCR (checks for the bacterial DNA), the results come back in less than 24 hours. With the regular test you can sometimes be waiting for days to find out.
If the infection is viral, then the doctor can do nothing for you. I use advil for these situations, it reduces the swelling and the pain at the same time.
Just don't take anything until you see a doctor.
2006-10-30 03:24:51 · answer #2 · answered by Loulabelle 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You would know it...without doubt you would know it...If you had an ear infection the pain could be overwhelming depending on how bad the infection is. You'll feel like screaming. I had to travel in the New York Subway with all the noise with my right ear on fire. I held my hand against my ear as tightly as I could to help diminish the pain. This was the longest subway ride I ever had to take. Would you believe that I still can imagine the pain.
What was the infection from? I really never found out. It could have occurred from picking my ear or from just a dirty spot (New York isn't a clean city). It took a week and a half to heal.
2006-10-30 03:26:50 · answer #3 · answered by wunderkind 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes this is a sign that you could be coming down with an ear infection. From what I can remember all my earaches started as a sore throat. So, here's a simple home remedy...get a hair dryer and put it on a low heat. Blow the warm air down your ear. I know this sounds strange but it helps keep the infection away from your ear. The down side of doing this is that it will keep the infection in your throat but I'd rather have an earache than a sore throat!
2006-10-30 03:32:53 · answer #4 · answered by Pseudonym 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Sounds like you might have one. Go to the doctor to have them check it out.
Symptoms of a middle ear infection (otitis media) often start 2 to 7 days after a cold or other upper respiratory infection.
Symptoms of an ear infection may include:
Ear pain (mild to severe). Babies often pull or tug at their ears when they have an earache. When the fluid in the middle ear builds up, the eardrum may burst (rupture). Once it ruptures, the fluid drains, and the pain usually stops. The hole in the eardrum often heals by itself in a few weeks.
Fever.
Drainage from the ear that is thick and yellow. Blood in this fluid can mean the eardrum has ruptured.
Loss of appetite, vomiting, and grumpy behavior.
Trouble sleeping.
Possible loss of hearing.
Symptoms of fluid buildup may include:
Popping, ringing, or a feeling of fullness or pressure in the ear. Children often have trouble describing this feeling. Children may rub their ears trying to relieve pressure.
Loss of hearing. Children with hearing loss may seem dreamy or inattentive, or they may appear grumpy or cranky.
Balance problems and dizziness.
2006-10-30 03:16:01 · answer #5 · answered by ukerin 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
take cold or sinus pills to drain your sinuses and that might be enough to drain your ear canals, if not you will need to see a doctor for antibiotics. if your ear hurts its likely an infection but when linked to a cold sometimes it goes away when the cold does, and other times it lingers after the cold is gone, which often means there is fluid trapped in the inner ear.
2006-10-30 03:19:23 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go to your doctor to have him/her check it out. Children are a lot more prone to ear infections but I suspect that you might have one b/c your pain is unilateral (in one ear). Good luck!
2006-10-30 03:19:17 · answer #7 · answered by reviewee 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
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2014-08-16 12:23:28 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hell00000 can U hear me now...PeAcE
2006-10-30 03:52:20 · answer #9 · answered by michael looooou 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
i suggest you better consult an EENT specialist so that it will not get worst okey..
2006-10-30 03:20:52 · answer #10 · answered by alexjem 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋