Ear Infection? - Saint Louis,MO

S.,
don't know of any way to tell if you have an ear infection without going to the doc. but there is also strep going around. might be worth trying to get to the doc sooner rather then lateter.

Hi S.,

Are you sure you have a fever? Check that first.

If you don't have a fever, the allergy season is HORRIBLE right now and if you've never really had problems, you could be having allergy issues now. You can have all the above symptoms with seasonal allergies.
Try some over the counter Claritin first.

Good Luck and in Good Health

Lori K

I get ear infections once in a while and when I can't get right to the dr. I usually take an antihistamine, like benadryl ect. just an over the counter. But if it is ear infection you really need to go to the dr. Sometimes my ears really don't hurt all that bad but it can get bad even if your ears don't hurt. Sometimes it can make you sick to your stomach,hard to turn your head, can't lay down without the room spinning. This might help until you can get to the doc. Get Well

Hi S.,
I have the same thing and mine is allergies, also sinus infection that set in my ears. I went to a woman's clinic the other day and she verified that it was a sinus infection but that I didn't need an antibotic for it that I could get over it by myself. Guess they don't like giving out the antibotics. I got some Mucinex (the generic kind from the dollar store) this has helped alot. And I am feeling lots better but not over it yet. My ears and throat don't hurt at all after just the first day. I got the DM kind cause I kept coughing to, it does dry you up but at least you can get some sleep. Good luck and get better soon.

You sound like you have either a flu virus or tonsilidis. You don't want to expose that baby if it's strep or tonsilidis. It's very common to have fluid or just congestion in the ears without infection. Get checked out!!

If you need to see a Dr and can't see your family Dr, I'd recommend the 'Take Care' clinic at some Walgreens. The Staff is a Tech and a Nurse Practitioner who can give prescriptions. It is around $60 for the visit and you can search the Walgreens site for a Clinic near you. I visited one about two months ago for ear pain, etc, and was very satisfied. I'd recommend going between 8am-12pm as after 12pm, the staff said they can get very busy. I was in and out in less then 30 minutes. ~L.

Good Morning S., for ear aches I use Similasan it's homopathic OTC. It does help to releave the pain. I hope your medicating for fever, sore throat etc. When the season's change I started getting the yucky sinus stuff. Never had it before until the last couple of years. My right ear gets worse then the left. I have even gone to the Dr. to have it cleaned out and the last time they couldn't get it. Sometimes it's just build up wax that causes the pain and there are products to get for that removal also.

Best of everything to you and take good care of yourself.
K.

If you have a fever and a sore throat and feel awful, you may have strep. The daycare that my children go to have recenlty had a few cases of strep and 3 out of 4 family members in my household got it, me being one of them. And, yes, my throat hurt, my ears hurt, I had a lot of sinus drainage, fever, etc. If you do have strep, chances are the rest of your family will get it as well. My son, who was "too young to get strep" not only got strep throat, but also ended up with a strep rash on his body. I wish you the best and hope that it is "just allergies".

CVS Pharmacy sells Otoscopes for $15.00. They are not as fancy as what the doc has but they are handy to have around. If you have someone who can look in your ear they need to see what color the eardrum is. It should be pearly grey if it is healthy. Otherwise if it is pink or red or has any puss behind the eardrum I would definantly go to the doc or to an urgent care. It may also be a sinus infection which can put fluid on the ear drum causing pain and drainage as well. hope that helps and you feel better!! E.

Your ears my just hurt from the congestion. Try taking Mucinex and drinking LOTS of water. The Mucinex (available over the counter and as generic) helps to thin secretinos and works best when you drink plenty of water. Taking that stuff has kept me from the doctors office many times (I'm actually taking it right now and feeling 10 times better than my husband who isn't!). Good luck!

This is what I do for myself, hubby, and kids....Go to your local healthfood store and get Oregano Oil. Mix it this way: 1 drop oregano oil, 6 drops garlic oil (from capsules), 1/2tsp olive oil. You MUST dilute it this way or it will burn...At some pharmacies, you can get dropper bottles to put it in and just keep the mixture in your med cabinet. The oils will help relieve the pain, and heal the infection. I also add a little coloiddal silver. Another thing, I also hate taking my family to the dr, so I just bought a home otoscope and ear book for $48 from www.notoco.com . HTH

~A.~

I am not a health care provider, but I have had many sinus infections, that's what your symptoms sound like to me. Often your mucus will run down your throat instead of out your nose. If you mucus is anything but clear, it's a good bet it is an infection. Aren't you glad you asked!