An ear infection in an adult can have serious consequences if not treated in time. While ear infections are quite common in children, adults can still be affected by them, and their main cause is usually bacteria.
Main symptoms of adult ear infection
As previously said, ear infections happen when the Eustachian tubes are filled with fluid that either comes from mucus or water. With the fluid buildup, the infection occurs, and the ear drum is affected.
The most common symptoms that accompany an ear infection are:
- Pain in the ear
- Blockage in the ear
- Fever and dizziness
- Temporary hear loss
If you experience these symptoms, it’s recommended that you see your doctor immediately, especially if they go on for more than a couple of days. It’s important to treat ear infection immediately to avoid further complications.
Treatments for adult ear infection
Usually, the doctor will prescribe antibiotics to treat infections that are caused by bacteria (90% of adult ear infections are caused by bacteria). However, if the infection isn’t that bad, your doctor could prescribe ear drops that will clear the build-up in your ears.
However, if the condition didn’t improve solely through ear drops, the doctor will have to prescribe antibiotics to treat the ear infection.
Viral ear infections are the worse, and unlike the 90% of infection caused by bacteria, these cannot be treated with antibiotics alone, sometimes minor surgery being required to get rid of the build up and drain the fluid.
To avoid ear infections always make sure that you clean the water from your ears after you shower with cotton buds and that you keep your nostrils clean at all times – you can inquire your local pharmacist about nasal sprays that wash out any bacteria that could cause an ear infection.
