Ear infections are not contagious but the viruses or bacteria that cause them can be. Learn more here.
Have you ever experienced ear pain and wondered if you had an ear infection? You may have been curious how it happened. Did you catch it from someone or did something else cause the problem? Let's look at how ear infections can develop, along with some ways to prevent them.
Ear infections mostly occur when an infection like a cold causes overproduction of mucus, plus irritation and swelling in the Eustachian tubes—the tubes that run from the middle ear to the back of the throat. When the Eustachian tubes can’t drain properly, fluid or mucus builds up in the ear, creating a perfect environment for viruses or bacteria to thrive.
Ear infections themselves are not contagious. However, ear infections are caused by viruses and bacterial infections, which are contagious. This is especially true of viral middle ear infections, which are common in children.
Ear infections are most commonly caused by viruses and bacteria, but can also be due to swollen Eustachian tubes or adenoids with non-infectious fluid buildup.
Yes, getting water in your ears can lead to ear infections. Swimmer’s ear is a specific type of outer ear infection that often affects swimmers or those who spend a lot of time in the water. When water gets trapped in your ears, the moist environment is an ideal breeding ground for bacteria, which can lead to infection.
Swimmer's ear drops are a type of medication used to treat and prevent swimmer's ear, also known as otitis externa, which is an infection of the outer ear canal. These drops typically contain ingredients that help to dry out excess moisture in the ear canal, kill bacteria, and reduce inflammation.
Young children are more prone to ear infections than adults. This is due to their developing immune systems and smaller Eustachian tubes that can more easily become blocked. Ear infection symptoms for a baby or young child may be different and harder to spot than in an adult, especially since they can't always communicate what's wrong. Some symptoms to be aware of are tugging or pulling at the ears, increased fussiness and crying, trouble sleeping, fever and loss of appetite.
There are three main kinds of ear infections: middle, inner and outer ear infections.
A middle ear infection is the most common type, especially in young children. Middle ear infections are also called otitis media. This type of infection is usually caused by viruses or allergies. This happens when your Eustachian tubes (the tubes that connect your ears to your throat) become swollen and aren’t able to drain fluid like normal. Symptoms of a middle ear infection usually include:
You may wonder if you or your child has a viral vs. bacterial ear infection. If you or your child are recovering from a cold or flu, it’s likely that the ear infection is viral. However, it can be difficult to tell, and symptoms often look the same.
Home remedies for ear infection include:
Some ear infections, especially those that are bacterial, will need medical attention to help them clear up. When in doubt, see a doctor.
Knowing how to prevent ear infections will go a long way toward fending them off before they even begin. Here are a few things you can do:
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Ear infections will often go away on their own. For ear infections that don't improve over three or more days, it's best to see a doctor. You also should see a doctor if you or your child is experiencing recurring ear infections, severe pain or fluid draining from the ear. If your baby is younger than three months old and has a fever above 102 degrees Fahrenheit, see a doctor right away.
How your ear infection is treated depends on what type of ear infection you have and how severe it is. For an infection that is mild, doctors may wait and see if it clears up on its own before prescribing antibiotics. They may recommend using over-the-counter pain relievers to manage the discomfort. If your doctor determines that you need an antibiotic, amoxicillin for an ear infection is often the first choice for middle ear infections in both adults and children. For swimmer's ear or an outer ear infection, your doctor may prescribe antibiotic ear drops.
Prevention is the key
