Having an ear infection doesn’t take long to manifest itself. The infection itself can be caused by a virus or bacteria that affects the respiratory system, or as part of a sinus infection, or head cold. If there is ever any fluid (or water) in the ears that is not able to properly drain - due to the amount or presence of excess ear wax - that fluid will allow bacteria to grow and cause infection.  Once you have an infection, you will be able to tell within hours.
Symptoms include:
- vertigo, inability to balance when standing
- fevers of 101 degrees Fahrenheit or higher
- headaches and pain in the affected ear(s)
- runny nose or cough
- discharge from ear(s)
- vomiting
At the onset of an ear infection, nasal congestion and pain in the ear(s) or head might be your only symptoms. And since your ears control the equilibrium in your body,  you’ll soon develop dizziness upon sitting, standing, or walking. Additionally, the ear(s) might feel sensitive to sound or touch, feel plugged up, or feel wet. If still left untreated, fevers of 101 degrees Fahrenheit will result continuously until either the ear drum(s) burst or you are in excruciating pain. This can be anywhere from overnight to two days after developing infection. Vomiting is also not uncommon, as a result to all of the above symptoms described.
Ear infections in babies and young children are understandably harder to diagnose because they are unable to tell you how they’re feeling. And when they develop such infections, it can be due to having smaller or narrower ear canals that do not have the ability to drain fluid on their own. That is why many pediatricians refer the young to ENTs after multiple ear infections, where ear tubes might be necessary to help restore hearing and prevent (if possible) further ear infections. So watch for your child to tug at the ear(s), be generally fussy/cranky, and have nasal discharge. Once a fever sets in, you’ll know without a doubt that an infection is the culprit.
When you seek medical attention, the doctor will use an otoscope to examine the ears. If infection is found, oral antibiotics will be prescribed. If the ear(s) remains infected longer than 1-2 weeks, further evaluations or more stronger medication may be necessary. So how do you prevent ear infections in the first place? It is possible to minimize or eliminate ear infections through the use of antihistamines or decongestants when you are sick, and regularly cleaning your ears of excess ear wax.
