An ear infection is often the result of a bacterial or viral infection that typically affects the middle ear. Most ear infections clear up on their own and do not require medical intervention. However, more severe cases should be seen by a physician.
If you’re experiencing one or more of the following ear infection symptoms, please visit Coastal Urgent Care of Gonzales for immediate medical attention:
The good news is ear infections are not contagious. However, bacterial and viral infections that trigger them can and do spread from one person to another. Many ear infections develop during or following a cold or other contagious infection. There are three types of ear infections:
Illnesses like the common cold and flu are the main culprits of middle ear infections. As we know, some of these infections can be highly contagious. Both infections spread through tiny droplets made through talking, breathing, sneezing or coughing. If these droplets are inhaled or land in the mouth of another person, they’re at risk of not only contracting the illness, but also developing an ear infection.
Middle ear infections are the most common type of ear infection from a cold or flu. They result from swelling and inflammation in your eustachian tubes. These tubes can cause blockages and stop fluid from moving through your middle ear. Other conditions that can block your tubes and result in an ear infection include:
If you’re experiencing uncomfortable symptoms of an ear infection including pain, impaired hearing, redness or inflammation, dizziness or itching, here are a few things you can do at home to ease your symptoms:
If you’re experiencing more severe symptoms including nausea, vomiting, fever or severe drowsiness, or if self-treating your symptoms has proven ineffective, please visit Coastal Urgent Care of Gonzalez. We can alleviate your symptoms and treat your ear infection with the appropriate type and dose of medication. Walk-ins welcome Mon – Fri, 9 a.m. – 8 p.m., and Sat – Sun, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.