Ear Infection Myths You Can Stop Believing Right Away

Is your child complaining of pain in their ear? Chances are they may have an ear infection. Strep throat infections, sinusitis, ear infections, and other conditions are quite common during the colder season. If you suspect your little one has developed an ear infection, you’ve come to the right place. Our experts have the experience to diagnose and treat ear infections in children promptly.

However, there are some myths regarding this condition that can make you feel concerned about your child's health. But we're here to set the record straight. Here are some ear infection myths you should stop believing right now:

All Ear Infections Require Antibiotics

Doctors usually prescribe antibiotics for conditions caused by bacteria. However, many children with ear infections do get better without antibiotic treatment. But that's not to say that the doctor won't prescribe antibiotics to your child. They may prescribe certain antibiotics if:

1. Your child is experiencing severe pain and fever
2. Your child (aged 5 months – 2.5 years) has both of their ears infected
3. Your child is aged six months or older with only one ear infected. They'll need to be monitored closely for two or three days to see if symptoms improve or worsen. If they worsen, the doctor will prescribe antibiotics.

Water And Earwax Can Cause Infections

If your child has an ear infection, it's not because of the earwax. The earwax protects the inner ear canal and prevents the water from reaching the eardrum. If your child has an ear infection because of contaminated water, it can be an external ear infection called "swimmer's ear". It emits a foul smell with fluid discharge because bacteria infect the ear canal. Otherwise, both of these substances are natural and don't cause harm.

All Ear Infections Result In Fever

This is another common ear infection myth. One of the most blatant signs of an infection is a fever. However, according to studies, the majority of the kids or adults who get ear infections don’t have fevers. However, they may complain of other symptoms like pain in the ear, fluid discharge, and a foul smell emanating from inside the ear.

So, if you or your child experiences the aforementioned symptoms, contact a doctor for further instructions and treatment.

Get Online Treatment For Ear Infection With Our Talented Doctors

If you’re looking for virtual doctors for ear infection consultation for your child, TelMDCare can help you. We have many talented and expert ear infection specialists online on our panel who can provide an accurate diagnosis and a prescription.

Call us today to book a consultation.