Do you need oral antibiotics for ear infection? Ear infection is a common and painful condition that occurs in both children and adults. It can cause fever, pain, itching, and other symptoms.
There are many types of ear infections and treatment options for each one. Antibiotics are a common type of medication used to treat these infections. Oral antibiotics for ear infection are often used to treat the condition.
Acute otitis media, the most common form of ear infection
Acute otitis media (AOM) is the most common form of ear infection. It’s caused by bacteria and is most often seen in children.
Viruses can also cause AOM, especially in young children. Viral upper respiratory infections are a common predisposing factor, and some viruses may also cause middle ear infections.
Oral antibiotics are strong medicines that can kill the bacteria that cause ear infection. They are usually prescribed by a doctor in pill or liquid form.
These medications are usually effective and can cure your ear infection in 2 to 3 days. However, some people experience side effects from oral antibiotics, such as diarrhea and stomach pain.
Other antibiotics for ear infection include amoxicillin and zithromax. Amoxicillin is the most commonly used antibiotic for ear infection.
If amoxicillin or zithromax doesn’t work, your doctor will probably prescribe another antibiotic. Some alternative antibiotics for ear infection include cephalosporins, such as cefdinir or cefpodoxime.
Topical antibiotic ointments and drops can be very effective in treating ear infections. Use these ointments as directed on the label. Make sure to clean out your child’s ears before using the ointments or drops. Dirt and dry wax can prevent the ointment from getting into your child’s ear.
What causes ear infections?
Ear infections are caused by a bacterium or virus that settles in the middle ear, which is the air-filled space between the eardrum and the inner ear. They often develop when a child gets another illness, such as a cold, flu or a sinus infection. This can cause congestion and swelling of the nose, throat and Eustachian tubes, the small tubes that link the middle ear to the back of the nose.
Symptoms of ear infections are similar to symptoms of other illnesses, so it can be difficult to tell if an ear infection is viral or bacterial. The main difference is that a bacterial ear infection tends to have higher fever than a viral one.
The most common type of ear infection is an acute, or sudden, one. It usually occurs after a cold, flu or other upper respiratory infection and can last up to two weeks.
A bacterial ear infection usually is treated with antibiotics and sometimes with pain-relieving eardrops. These can be given at home or by your healthcare provider.
Your doctor will use a tool called an otoscope to look in your ear and see the eardrum. This lighted device lets the doctor see how your eardrum moves when there is fluid or an infection in the ear.
If there’s not enough fluid behind the eardrum to make it move normally, your doctor may do a test called a tympanometry. This uses sound tones and air pressure to measure how flexible the eardrum is at different pressures.
Infant ear infection symptoms
A child with an ear infection may have a fever, especially if the illness comes on right after a cold or flu. The fever typically is not a sign of a serious illness, such as pneumonia or meningitis.
Ear pain and pressure
Infections in the middle ear can cause pain and pressure, especially when lying down. This is because fluid that collects behind the eardrum makes it hard for the ear to equalize its pressure, so it feels worse when you lie down.
Trouble sleeping
Babies with ear infections are likely to wake up more frequently and cry during the night, as the pressure from their ears makes it difficult to sleep. It’s a good idea to make sure your baby gets plenty of rest while they’re sick so they can recover quickly.
Headaches
A headache is also a common symptom of an ear infection. If your child has a headache, see a doctor. If it’s severe, you may need to consider medication for pain.
Trouble feeding
As the act of sucking and swallowing causes changes in ear pressure, babies with an ear infection often have difficulty eating, as they don’t feel comfortable when they do. They might seem hungry and try to eat, but they stop before the food gets in.
In most cases, ear infections clear up on their own, without antibiotics. But if your child has recurrent ear infections, talk with your pediatrician about getting an antibiotic. Taking the medicine regularly and finishing it completely helps lower your child’s risk of the infection coming back in the future.
Best ear drops for ear infection for adults
There are a variety of over-the-counter ear drops that can be used to help ease ear pain and other symptoms. They include acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin). These can also be used to reduce fevers associated with an ear infection.
Antibiotic ear drops are often prescribed for outer ear infections, but these can be found over the counter as well. They can include neomycin, which is often prescribed to treat bacterial infections, or ciprofloxacin, which is sometimes prescribed as an antibiotic for ear infections caused by bacteria.
Other over-the-counter ear drops can help to relieve a mild case of swimmer’s ear by removing earwax that traps water and bacteria in the ear. They may also help dry up discharge from the ear canal.
Warm compresses can also be helpful to relieve ear pain and pressure from an ear infection. They can be applied to the affected ear for 20-minute periods while you’re resting.
If the ear infection is severe, your health care provider might use an otoscope to look at your eardrum. She might see a red or bulging eardrum with fluid behind it that looks like pus. She might also try autoinsufflation, a method of using air to force fluid out of your middle ear by pinching and exhaling your nose.
Ear drops are a common way to relieve earache and other symptoms of an ear infection, but they should only be used under the direction of your health care provider. They aren’t safe for people with ear tubes, permanent injuries to their eardrums or certain ear surgeries.