Published at September 7, 2024
Are you or your child experiencing severe pain or discomfort in your ear? It could be a sign of a middle ear infection. Although these infections can affect people of any age, children are particularly susceptible. In fact, about 70% of kids under the age of two will experience at least one episode. Recognizing the signs can help you seek timely care and alleviate discomfort, making it easier for everyone to feel better quickly.
Although it goes away on its own in several cases, consulting with a trusted physician is recommended to relieve the pain and avoid complications. If it’s inconvenient for you to visit a clinic, you can easily talk to a virtual doctor for online ear infection treatment, right from home.
Book your virtual appointment to receive quick and quality treatment with trusted online doctors for ear infections at 24HrDOC, a trusted telehealth platform.
Ear Infection – Basics, Causes, and Prevention
Ear infections can occur in the inner, middle, or outer ear. However, middle ear infections (medically called acute otitis media) are the most common. They are characterized by sudden, painful swelling (with redness) and a fluid build-up behind the eardrum.
Viruses or bacteria cause ear infections by clogging the Eustachian tube, which links the throat with the middle ear. Middle ear infections occur when an underlying condition results in mucus build-up in the middle ear, such as
- Cold, flu, or sinus infections
- Immune system deficiency or Allergy
- Cleft palate (birth defect with a hole in the roof of the mouth)
- Passive smoking
- Seasonal or altitude changes
Take the following steps to prevent the infection and stay healthy: (Source: CDC)
- Get vaccinated with flu vaccine and pneumococcal vaccine.
- Wash your child’s and your hands to minimize the risks of catching a cold.
- Avoid both active and passive smoking.
- Carefully dry your ears after bathing and swimming.
- Exclusively breastfeed your baby for the first six months, then continue it until they turn one.
While complications associated with middle ear infections are rare, they may sometimes result in chronic ear infections, meningitis (brain fever), eardrum damage, and even hearing loss. In children, it could also result in delayed speech development due to muffled hearing.
Symptoms & When to See an Online Doctor for Ear Infection
If you have an ear infection, you may experience one or more of the following symptoms:
- Earache
- Fever
- Loss of appetite and fatigue
- A slight loss of hearing
- Trouble sleeping and a headache
- Pus drainage from the ear
However, look closely for the following signs in your toddler as they can’t tell you verbally how they feel: (Source: MedlinePlus)
- Pulling or rubbing their ear
- Increased fussiness and crying
- Feeling restless and having difficulty sleeping
- High fever
- Refusal to breastfeed or eat
- Not responsive to sounds (hearing loss)
You should consult with a virtual physician or pediatrician to get timely treatment if you or your child:
- Experiences symptoms for more than 3 days
- Has recurring ear infections
- Feels intense pain or swelling behind the ear
- Has fluid or pus flowing from the ear
- Has fever higher than 102°F (~39°C)
Online Ear Infection Diagnosis and Treatment
To diagnose your ear infection, an online doctor evaluates your medical history, determines the severity of your symptoms, and virtually examines your eardrum and ear canal through high-res images or video chat.
Based on this information, the doctor assesses the possibility of an ear infection and determines further treatment. They may even recommend an in-person visit if the results are inconclusive or require further examination using an otoscope.
In most cases, infections with mild symptoms often resolve within 3 to 5 days without medication. The doctor may recommend resting and drinking lots of water as home treatment. The doctor may even prescribe ibuprofen or paracetamol to relieve your fever and pain.
However, if your child’s or your symptoms persist for a few days, you must consult an online doctor to treat your ear infection promptly before it leads to further complications. In that case, the doctor may provide an online prescription for ear infection antibiotics like amoxicillin.
How to Get an Online Prescription for Ear Infections Through 24HrDOC
If you decide to see a doctor to get treatment for an ear infection, but don’t have the time to visit a clinic or live far from one, don’t worry. 24HrDOC offers 24/7 availability to board-certified doctors for online treatment of ear infections and other medical conditions.
Sign up with your basic details, follow a quick process to talk to an online doctor anytime, anywhere, and get personalized care.
The process at 24HrDOC is quite easy to follow with 3 basic steps:
- Step 1: Fill out a 5-minute online questionnaire regarding your medical history, current symptoms, and if you’ve taken medication.
- Step 2: The experienced 24HrDOC medical specialists will review your condition and schedule a phone call or video chat. Following the virtual consultation, they will provide a digital prescription for ear infection treatment, including antibiotics if appropriate.
- Step 3: Finally, you can pick up your medications per the e-prescription for ear infection treatment from your nearest pharmacy within hours.
Don’t Suffer in Silence – Get Rid of Your Pain Today
If you or your child are suffering from an earache, there is no reason you should wait for days to get an in-person consultation for your treatment.
At 24HrDOC, you can consult highly qualified and experienced online doctors for ear infections and other conditions, with 24/7 availability. Treating it quickly will relieve the pain and save you from further complications.
Schedule your virtual visit today to experience the next-gen healthcare technology that offers convenience, easy accessibility, and the same quality of care as traditional healthcare.
