How to Identify an Ear Infection & When to Seek Treatment in Tampa, FL
Many infants and children frequently get earaches, but teens and adults can get them, too. If you’ve ever had a severe ear infection, you probably know that prompt treatment is important not only to ease the pain but also to help prevent hearing loss. But how can you tell if your earache is caused by an ear infection, and when do you need professional medical care? The experienced and caring team at South Tampa Immediate Care in Tampa, Florida, can help you deal with this common, unpleasant, and often painful condition.
What Is an Ear Infection?
Most ear infections develop in the middle ear, a small space behind the eardrum that connects to the back of the throat via a Eustachian tube. Fluids produced by the ear drain into this tiny channel, which keeps the middle ear clean and dry. A blocked Eustachian tube can cause fluid to build up in the middle ear, creating an ideal breeding ground for viruses and bacteria, which can result in an ear infection.
In general, you should see a healthcare provider if you have ear infection symptoms, such as:
- Severe ear pain
- A throbbing earache
- A sensation of fullness in your ear
- Muffled hearing
- Clear or yellow fluid draining from your ear
- Fever
If these symptoms develop after head trauma or you think might have a perforated eardrum, you should call 911 or go directly to the nearest hospital emergency room.
How Is an Ear Infection Treated?
After reviewing your symptoms and examining your painful ear with a special lighted instrument (otoscope), your provider may suggest that you apply warm compresses to your ear or take an over-the-counter pain reliever. If you are diagnosed with a bacterial ear infection, you may also receive a prescription for an antibiotic. Your ear pain and other symptoms should begin to improve within a few days, and the underlying infection should clear up within a week or two. If you are prescribed an antibiotic, be sure to finish the entire regimen, even if you start to feel better.
Ear infections and other illnesses often strike when they are least expected, but the experienced and compassionate providers at South Tampa Immediate Care are here to help you through. We offer prompt ear infection treatment and other non-emergency urgent care services on a walk-in basis. We can also complement the care your child receives at your current children’s health clinic. To learn more, contact or visit our urgent care center in Tampa, FL, today.
