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. 

There are several signs of ear infections, but the most common symptoms in adults are ear pain and discomfort. You may also experience fluid in the ear, drainage or trouble hearing.

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:

• using a hot or cold compress on your ear,
• staying hydrated,
• getting adequate rest
• avoiding sleeping on the side of your infected ear.

Some ear infections, especially those that are bacterial, will need medical attention to help them clear up. When in doubt, see a doctor. 

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.