Ear infections are one of the most common infections! While it is true that children experience them more frequently, adults and older adults are certainly not invincible to developing an ear infection.

Ear pain or discomfort does not immediately constitute an ear infection diagnosis, but it definitely is a classic symptom of the illness.

If you are in pain or are starting to wonder if your symptoms indicate an ear infection, read on as our AFC Urgent Care Louisville team explains more.

Can I Get an Ear Infection From Someone Else?

Ear infections are not actually contagious from person to person, so if someone you know only has an ear infection, you can’t get it from him or her. However, it is possible that a cold or another infection is what got them sick in the first place, so you could contract that and then also develop an ear infection from the first illness.

If you do contract an ear infection, the infection will make its way to your inner ear and start to grow. This growth and replication is what causes the discomfort and pain! It will eventually start to press against your eardrum and cause a feeling of pressure to build up inside your ear. It can even start to disrupt the fluid drainage process and cause even more discomfort.

More Common Ear Infection Signs

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

Can Ear Infections Make You Dizzy?

Experiencing balance issues is a common symptom in adults, especially as we all get older. Your inner ear help control your balance, so any sort of dysregulation there can cause dizziness or symptoms of vertigo. Move slowly and be sure to sit down any time you are experiencing a bout of dizziness.

The good news is that most ear infections will clear on their own in a few days. Just take it easy and be sure to get the rest you need. You can also take some OTC pain medication to help with the pain and discomfort while you are waiting to heal. Of course, if you are ever worried about your symptoms or how you feel, come see us!

Those at Higher Risk for Ear Infections

• Individuals who smoke
• People with allergies
• Children under 3 years of age
• Families with a history of chronic ear infections

Is ear pain affecting your day? Drop by AFC Urgent Care Louisville to visit with our care team.