How long does a middle ear infection last in adults?

Most middle ear infections (otitis media) clear up within three to five days and don’t need any specific treatment. You can relieve any pain and a high temperature using over the counter painkillers such as paracetamol and ibuprofen.

What are the symptoms of middle ear infection in adults?

What are the symptoms of a middle ear infection?

• Ear pain.
• Feeling of fullness in the hear.
• Fluid draining from the ear.
• Fever.
• Hearing loss.

What does an ear infection in adults feel like?

The symptoms of an ear infection in adults are: Earache (either a sharp, sudden pain or a dull, continuous pain) A sharp stabbing pain with immediate warm drainage from the ear canal. A feeling of fullness in the ear.

Why do adults get middle ear infections?

An ear infection is caused by a bacterium or virus in the middle ear. This infection often results from another illness — cold, flu or allergy — that causes congestion and swelling of the nasal passages, throat and eustachian tubes.

How do you get rid of a middle ear infection in adults?

A middle ear infection may be treated with:

1. Antibiotics, taken by mouth or as ear drops.
2. Medication for pain.
3. Decongestants, antihistamines, or nasal steroids.
4. For chronic otitis media with effusion, an ear tube (tympanostomy tube) may help (see below)

What happens if a middle ear infection goes untreated?

Untreated chronic ear infections can also cause tears in the eardrum. These tears will typically heal within a few days, though in more extreme cases, surgical repair might be required. The other primary risk of leaving an ear infection untreated is that the infection could spread beyond the ear.

How do you get rid of fluid behind the eardrum in adults?

Treatment options include antibiotics, analgesics, antipyretics, as well as supplements such as Vitamin C, Zinc and Echinacea. Chronic, recurrent Otitis Media may be treated by insertion of ventilation tubes (through the tympanic membrane) for drainage and pressure equalization.

How long do ear infections last in adults?

Most ear infections clear up within 3 days, although sometimes symptoms can last up to a week.

How do you know it’s an ear infection?

It’s caused by fluid trapped behind the eardrum, which causes the eardrum to bulge. Along with an earache, you may sense fullness in your ear and have some fluid drainage from the affected ear. Otitis media can come with a fever. You may also have trouble hearing until the infection starts to clear.

How do you drain fluid from your middle ear?

A myringotomy is a procedure to create a hole in the ear drum to allow fluid that is trapped in the middle ear to drain out. The fluid may be blood, pus and/or water. In many cases, a small tube is inserted into the hole in the ear drum to help maintain drainage.

When should I worry about ear infection in adults?

A good warning to remember is if the symptoms of an ear infection have not improved or completely gone away within three days, if there are new symptoms (e.g. fever, loss of balance, etc.), or if there is discharge coming from the ear, then a trip to the doctor’s office should take place.

How do I get rid of fluid behind my eardrum?

In some cases, people need surgery for a blocked eustachian tube. The doctor makes a small cut in the eardrum to drain fluid and to make the pressure the same inside and outside the ear. Sometimes the doctor will put a small tube in the eardrum. The tube will fall out over time.

How do you treat a middle ear infection?

Middle ear infection treatment includes over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, as well as decongestants and plenty of fluids; antihistamines, saline nasal irrigations, and intranasal steroids may be recommended to allergy sufferers.

What is the cure for ear infection in adults?

Common over-the-counter medications used to treat an adult ear infection are pain relievers and antihistamines. Antihistamines are used to reduce the amount of fluid in the ear.

What causes middle ear infections?

Middle ear infections are caused by bacteria and viruses. Swelling from an upper respiratory infection or allergy can block the Eustachian tubes, which would prevent air from reaching the middle ear. A vacuum and suction then pulls fluid and germs from the nose and throat into the middle ear.

What is a middle ear infection called?

Ear infection (middle ear) Overview. An ear infection (sometimes called acute otitis media) is an infection of the middle ear, the air-filled space behind the eardrum that contains the tiny vibrating bones of the ear.