Have you ever experienced pain inside of your ear? Ear pain can be extremely uncomfortable and difficult to diagnose. Your ears are a complicated series of inner tubes that work to protect your eardrum from damage so that you can hear. Ear pain can indicate the presence of an infection or injury inside of the ear which can cause harm to your eardrum. There are various potential conditions that could lead to ear pain. However, with the fall flu season upon us, you may be wondering - is ear pain a symptom of the flu? Keep reading to learn more about common flu symptoms.
If you’re experiencing ear pain, it could indicate the presence of an infection that requires treatment. At AFC Urgent Care Waltham, our walk-in clinic offers patients in Waltham, MA, and the surrounding communities a convenient alternative to the ER for illness symptom diagnosis and treatment. Simply walk into the clinic when it’s convenient for you. We are open 7 days a week from 8am-8pm!
Common Symptoms of the Flu
With fall just around the corner, it is important to be aware of the risk of the flu. The flu is a viral infection that affects the upper respiratory system. Unlike other viruses, such as those that cause colds, the Influenza virus can lead to severe illness. The flu is particularly dangerous to anyone who is immunocompromised, has underlying health conditions such as heart or lung conditions, or the elderly.
The flu is dangerous because it is caused by a virus, which cannot be treated with medications such as antibiotics. Instead, your body has to fight the virus off on its own. The flu can cause a variety of symptoms ranging from mild to severe. The flu can also develop into secondary illnesses, including ear infections. However, ear pain is not a common early symptom of the flu.
Common flu symptoms include:
- Congestion
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Body aches
- Chills
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Sore throat
- Cough
What Causes Ear Pain?
If you’re experiencing pain inside of your ear, it could be caused by a variety of different conditions. Ear infections are very common, especially among young children. Ear infections occur when bacteria grow inside of the ear canal. Bacteria is able to grow inside of the ear when there is a build-up of liquid inside of the ear. Common causes of ear infections include getting water stuck inside of the ear after swimming or showering. Fluid can also get trapped inside of the ear due to severe nasal congestion because your sinuses and ear canal are closely connected. Due to this, ear infections can happen as a result of the flu if you experience severe congestion from having the flu.
Ear Pain Diagnosis & Treatment in Waltham, MA
If you’re experiencing ear pain, it is important to seek medical care. There are many different kinds of ear infections, however, all ear infections are caused by bacteria growing inside of the ear canal. Bacterial infections require medical diagnosis and treatment with prescription antibiotics to resolve. Without proper treatment, ear infections can take weeks to resolve on their own and could potentially cause permanent damage to the inner ear or ear drum.
Ear pain can sometimes be confused as a flu symptom because they can occur as a result of flu symptoms such as congestion. However, ear infections and the flu are two separate illnesses and the flu does not typically result in ear pain. If you are sick with the flu, managing your congestion with over-the-counter medications can reduce your risk of developing an ear infection.
Visit AFC Urgent Care Waltham for Same-Day Illness Treatment in Waltham, MA
At AFC Urgent Care Waltham, we are here to help you protect yourself from illnesses like the flu and ear infections this fall season. That is why our clinic offers preventative measures like flu shots in addition to illness symptom treatment - all on a walk-in basis. Simply walk into the clinic for same-day treatment without long wait times. We accept most medical insurance plans and offer competitive rates for our care for patients paying out of pocket for their care.
Walk in today, or contact us directly by calling (781) 894-6900 to speak with a member of our team. Our clinic is open 7 days a week from 8am-8pm to provide prompt care for patients who live in Waltham, MA, and any of the surrounding communities.
