Find out if you or a loved one is dealing with an ear infection.
Yikes! You woke up with a nasty earache that seemed to have arrived almost out of the blue. Could it be an ear infection? Ear infections often show up suddenly and without much warning. They may appear on their own or as a complication of a respiratory infection such as a cold. Of course, it’s important that you know when to visit your St. Peters, MO, ENT doctor Dr. Paul Burk for care.
Childhood Ear Infections
While a child that is old enough to speak will tell you whether they are experiencing ear pain, pressure or difficulty hearing, this isn’t possible for babies and toddlers who can’t tell you what’s going on. In this case, it’s important to be able to check the nonverbal cues that could be trying to tell you that your little one might be dealing with an ear infection.
One of the most common signs is that your child may frequently tug and pull at the affected ear. They may become more irritable and fussy and they may have difficulty sleeping through the night because of the pain. In some cases, an earache may also be accompanied by a fever. If you notice that your little one suddenly seems like they aren’t hearing you, you need to take them in to see their St. Peters, MO, otolaryngologist right away.
Adult Ear Infections
Most people will know that they have an ear infection because they will suddenly notice a sharp, stabbing or continuous pain in the ear. The ear may also feel full and, as a result, sound may be muffled.
While symptoms may go away on their own, if you are dealing with severe pain or difficulty hearing you may require antibiotics to effectively treat the infection. Of course, if pain doesn’t go away after a couple of days, or if your symptoms are accompanied by a fever, then it’s time to see the doctor.
If you or your little one is dealing with an earache it’s important that you have a doctor you can turn to for the answers. Call our St. Luke's Hospital office right away and we will get you to see Dr. Burk as soon as possible.