Are Ear Infections Contagious?

June 14, 2024

Ear infections can affect anyone and can be extremely painful. There are many different kinds of ear infections and many different things that can lead to ear infections. This can sometimes make it difficult to self-diagnose an ear infection. If you are experiencing symptoms of an ear infection, seeking early medical treatment can allow you to start treatment early and prevent the infection from worsening.

AFC Urgent Care North Bergen is available to provide rapid diagnosis and treatment for ear infections on a daily basis. We never require that you schedule an appointment in order to receive prompt medical care. Our clinic maintains short wait times and offers care on a walk-in basis so that you can get the care that you need when it’s convenient for you. Simply walk into the clinic.

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What Causes Ear Infections?

There are many different things that can cause you to develop an ear infection. Ear infections can be caused by viruses, or by bacteria. This can make it difficult to self-diagnose an ear infection, and difficult to treat it on your own. Your ears are closely connected to your sinuses.

As a result, viral infections such as a cold can lead to an ear infection. Excess moisture in the ear can also lead to an ear infection, however, in most cases, moisture in the ear leads to a bacterial infection in the ear. In most cases, ear infections require a medical diagnosis and treatment to resolve the infection. For some people, ear infections can become chronic.

Signs You May Have an Ear Infection

Ear infections are incredibly common. In many cases, ear infections develop after another illness, such as a cold or the flu. This is because your sinuses are connected to your ears, and extreme congestion can leave your ears blocked up with fluid which can result in an infection. There are also circumstances where moisture can sit in the ear, which can cause a bacterial infection.

If you’re sick, it’s important to seek treatment so that your illness doesn’t develop into secondary infections like an ear infection. Although it can be difficult to identify early symptoms of an ear infection, there are some telltale symptoms of an ear infection that you should look out for. These include:

  • Pain in & around the ear
  • Itchiness in the ear
  • Trouble hearing
  • Feeling pressure inside the ear
  • Headaches
  • Fever
  • Discharge from the ear

Can You Catch an Ear Infection From Someone Else?

Ear infections can be caused by viruses. You may associate viruses with contagious diseases such as colds or the flu. However, you cannot spread an ear infection from one person to another. This is because the virus causes symptoms that lead to congestion in the ear, but does not directly cause an ear infection.

If you’re experiencing any of the above symptoms associated with an ear infection, you should seek medical care. A medical professional will be able to visually assess the ear for any signs of an infection. Although you cannot spread your infection, ear infections can be incredibly uncomfortable. Ear infections typically respond very well to treatment, which often includes a round of antibiotics. However, delaying care can result in your infection worsening and the recovery time being much longer.

Visit AFC Urgent Care North Bergen for Walk-In Ear Infection Treatment in North Bergen, NJ

If you’re experiencing any of the mentioned symptoms of an ear infection, it is important to seek medical care for proper diagnosis and treatment. Ear infections can easily be controlled with medication, however, delaying care for an ear infection can cause the infection to worsen and the recovery time to be longer. At AFC Urgent Care North Bergen, our clinic offers same-day illness symptom diagnosis and treatment for patients in North Bergen, NJ. We never require that you schedule an appointment to receive prompt medical care, simply walk into the clinic when it’s convenient for you. We accept most medical insurance plans and offer affordable care. Walk in today!

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