Being sick during the summer is no fun. Ear infections are a very common illness during the summertime. However, how do you know whether you’re suffering from an ear infection and how do you treat ear infection symptoms? Keep reading to learn more about common early symptoms that may suggest that you have an ear infection.
If you are experiencing ear pain, visit AFC Urgent Care Burlington for same-day ear pain diagnosis and ear infection treatment. Our board-certified medical providers are available 7 days a week from 8am-8pm to provide rapid care to patients on a walk-in basis. Simply walk into the clinic when it’s convenient for you, or schedule your visit online in advance.
What Causes Ear Infections?
Ear infections can occur due to a variety of different causes. During the colder months, illnesses such as colds can lead to congestion that builds up in the sinuses. This can lead to an ear infection because the sinuses are closely connected to the ear canals. During the summertime, water becoming trapped in the ear canal is a common cause of ear infections. Congestion and water trapped in the ear canal are a breeding ground for bacteria, which is what causes the canal to become infected.
Young children are especially susceptible to developing ear infections due to their small ear canals which easily can become clogged. However, ear infections can affect anyone. For some people, ear infections may be a common occurrence due to genetics.
Symptoms of an Ear Infection
Ear infections often have very mild symptoms at first which can go undetected or ignored. However, over time the infection will continue to worsen and become more severe, so it is important to identify the symptoms of an ear infection early so that you can seek treatment. Ear infections can cause a variety of symptoms that aren’t necessarily related to your ears, such as fevers, so it is important to know what symptoms may indicate the presence of an ear infection.
Common symptoms of an ear infection include:
- Ear pain
- Redness in and around the ear
- Itchiness in the ear
- Headaches
- Fever
- Chills
- Discharge from the ear
- Trouble hearing
Ear Infection Diagnosis & Treatment in Burlington, MA
Ear infections can be very painful if left untreated. Bacterial infections such as ear infections require antibiotics to resolve the infection in most cases. If you are experiencing symptoms of an ear infection, seeking medical care early before your symptoms are severe can prevent your symptoms from worsening and the infection causing permanent damage in the ear canal.
When you seek medical care for ear infection symptoms, your medical provider will review the symptoms that you’re experiencing. They will evaluate the inside of your ear canal for signs of an infection. Based on the results of the examination and any diagnostic testing, your medical provider may prescribe antibiotic ear drops. They will also recommend at-home care instructions to manage any discomfort while the infection is healing.
Walk Into AFC Urgent Care Burlington for Same-Day Ear Infection Treatment
If you’re experiencing any of the mentioned symptoms of an ear infection, seeking medical care early will allow you to treat the infection quickly before your symptoms become severe. At AFC Urgent Care Burlington, our clinic offers same-day care for ear infections without long wait times. Whether your ear pain is caused by an infection, or by something simple like a build-up of ear wax, our board-certified medical providers can help. Our clinic is open 7 days a week from 8am-8pm and treats patients of all ages. We offer affordable care and accept most medical insurance plans. Walk into the clinic today for same-day care!
