Ear Infections

Ear infections are common, as more than 80% of children develop at least one by the time they turn three years old. If you or your child has ear pain and needs relief, turn to Hayk Papukhyan, MD, Alina Ter-Grigorian, NP, and the team at Care Now Medical Group in North Hollywood, California. The skilled urgent care team diagnoses and treats ear infections to ease discomfort and avoid complications. Schedule an evaluation by calling the office, using the online booking tab, or walking in today.

What are ear infections?

Ear infections are caused by bacteria and viruses that infect the fluid inside the middle ear. These microbes grow in the fluid behind the eardrum, often causing ear pain and muffled hearing. While anyone can develop an ear infection, it’s more common among children — especially those younger than 2 years old. 

United States pediatricians diagnose about 15 million ear infections yearly. They may go away on their own within a few days or require medical intervention to clear things up with antibiotics.

Which symptoms can ear infections cause?

The following are symptoms of ear infections:

• Ear fullness or pressure
• Ear pain
• Trouble hearing things clearly 
• White, brown, or yellow ear drainage
• Rubbing or tugging on the ears (babies and young children)
• Fever
• Difficulty eating or sleeping
• Irtitability 

These symptoms could appear suddenly after having an upper respiratory infection. While ear infections aren’t contagious, the germs that cause them can be.

What are the risk factors for ear infections?

Ear infections typically begin after having a cold or another viral infection. Risk factors include:

• Being a baby or young child
• Family history of ear infections
• Being around larger groups of people, especially for kids
• Smoke exposure
• Weakened immune system

When left untreated, some ear infections spread to nearby tissues, including the bone behind the ear. They could damage the internal structure of the ear, causing hearing loss. Hearing impairment during a child’s early speech development can lead to speech delays.

How are ear infections diagnosed?

The Care Now Medical Group providers diagnose ear infections by discussing your or your child’s medical history and symptoms and completing an ear evaluation. They use a lighted instrument to view the eardrum, looking for swelling and other signs of an infection. 

How are ear infections treated?

Treating ear infections at Care Now Medical Group may involve watchful waiting or taking prescription antibiotics to eliminate the infection and/or pain relievers to ease any discomfort. Many infections go away on their own after about three days.

Children who have frequent ear infections or hearing loss linked to fluid buildup may benefit from undergoing a procedure that places tubes in their ears for fluid drainage. 

Schedule an ear infection evaluation with the Care Now Medical Group experts by calling the office or requesting an appointment online today. Walk-ins are also welcome.