Ear infections can appear out of nowhere and cause you to become much sicker when you thought you were on the mend. Ear infections typically occur following another illness, such as a cold, or can even happen due to spring allergies. There are many different kinds of ear infections that you can experience, however, middle ear infections are the most common kind. They typically occur following another, more mild illness and can require medical treatment to resolve depending on the severity of the infection.
If you’re suffering from the symptoms of an ear infection, AFC Urgent Care Stoneham can help. Our team of board-certified medical professionals is available to provide rapid illness symptom diagnosis and treatment 7 days a week. We never require that you schedule an appointment in advance, simply walk into the clinic when it’s convenient.
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What Causes Ear Infections to Occur
There are many different types of ear infections that you can get. The most common types are bacterial and viral infections that affect your middle ear. Your middle ear is the area right in front of your ear drum. It is a common place for infections to occur because it is easy for fluid to get trapped in your middle ear.
Middle ear infections often occur following another illness. Illnesses like colds that cause you to become congested can put pressure on the middle ear and cause fluid to get stuck up against your eardrum. This can lead to an infection brewing. Other conditions like spring allergies which cause severe congestion can also lead to a middle ear infection.
Common Symptoms of an Ear Infection
If you’re suddenly experiencing ear pain and wondering whether you may have an ear infection, there are a few signs that suggest that you have a middle ear infection. Having illness symptoms that get worse over time, instead of getting better, is a sign that you could be developing a secondary infection like an ear infection following a mild illness.
Symptoms of an ear infection may include:
- Worsening illness symptoms
- Fever
- Ear pain
- Headaches
- Trouble hearing
- Pressure in ear
- Dizziness
- Discharge from ear
- Loss of appetite
There are two main types of middle ear infections - bacterial and viral infections. Generally, bacterial infections tend to be more severe than viral ear infections. It can be difficult to tell whether your ear infection is caused by a bacterial infection or a viral infection, which is why it is important to seek medical care when you first spot any symptoms of an ear infection.
Same-Day Ear Infection Treatment in Stoneham, MA
Diagnosing an ear infection can be difficult. It often requires an evaluation of the ear by a medical professional to look for swelling, redness, or discharge coming from the ear. Depending on their findings, your medical provider may require additional testing to rule out certain infections. At AFC Urgent Care Stoneham, our clinic is equipped with a lab on-site, allowing us to get your test results quickly.
If your ear infection is caused by a virus, there is no medical treatment to help resolve the infection. Instead, your body has to fight it off on its own over time. Your healthcare provider can help you manage your discomfort by suggesting at-home care instructions and OTC medications. If your ear infection is bacterial, then you likely require antibiotics to clear the infection. In most cases, bacterial ear infections have more severe symptoms that are longer lasting, so it is important to catch the infection early so that you can begin treatment.
Walk Into AFC Urgent Care Stoneham for Rapid Ear Infection Treatment in Stoneham, MA
If you’re experiencing symptoms of an ear infection, it is important that you seek medical care for proper diagnosis and treatment. Bacterial ear infections require treatment with antibiotics to resolve. AFC Urgent Care Stoneham offers rapid walk-in ear infection treatment for patients in Stoneham, MA, and the surrounding communities.
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Our clinic is open 7 days a week and maintains short wait times, making it convenient and easy to get rapid ear infection care when you need it. Our medical providers are board-certified and trained to recognize the symptoms of ear infections early and provide the most effective course of treatment. We accept most medical insurance plans and offer affordable care options. Walk in today.
