When To Seek Medical Advice
Most cases of otitis media pass within a few days, so there’s usually no need to see your GP.
However, see your GP if you or your child have:
- symptoms showing no sign of improvement after two or three days
- a lot of pain
- a discharge of pus or fluid from the ear some people develop a persistent and painless ear discharge that lasts for many months, known as chronic suppurative otitis media
- an underlying health condition, such as cystic fibrosis or congenital heart disease, which could make complications more likely
Read more about diagnosing middle ear infections
What Causes Ear Infections
Ear infections are the most common infections of the middle ear. They come with pain, a sensation that the ear is clogged up and can even affect our hearing.
They are usually caused by bacteria in the middle ear, but they can also be viral. More often this happens because of another illness that causes one of your;Eustachian;tubes;to swell or become blocked.
This results in a build-up of fluid in the spaces of the middle ear. The pain is the result of this build-up of fluid and the accompanying inflammation increasing pressure on your eardrum.;
Signs Of A Kidney Infection
If you allow a UTI to go untreated, a kidney infection is almost inevitable. Here are some symptoms to look out for:;
- Cloudy urine
- Vomiting;
- Feeling like the bladder wasnt fully emptied
Should you experience any of these symptoms, you need to seek medical advice immediately. Not only are these symptoms very uncomfortable, but they could also indicate the beginning of kidney failure. And if the infection spreads, it could cause even more problems.
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What Is An Ear Infection
While there are many different types of ear infection, otitis media is the most common. Babies and children are especially prone to otitis media.
The other common type is otitis externa, which is an infection of the outer ear , which is often caused by water remaining in the canal after swimming, and is also known as swimmers ear.
Ear infections can be caused by either bacteria or viruses.
When To Speak To A Doctor About Ear Pain
See a doctor or visit an urgent care center for the less severe earache symptoms:
- Minor hearing loss, ringing in ears, and/or dizziness
- Signs of infection, including a low fever
- A sticky or bloody discharge coming from the ear
- Increased pain when wiggling the ear lobe
- Nose blowing that results in ear pain
- Pain that worsens or does not improve over 24 to 48 hours
Tell your doctor if you have been exposed to loud, prolonged noise, such as a concert or industrial machinery. Also tell your doctor if an object has been inserted in your ear.
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When To Go To An Emergency Room For Urinary Tract Infections
Urinary tract infections, as the name suggests, are infections that affect the urinary tract system. They can affect the bladder, the kidneys and the urethra. UTIs are very common in America and a lot of people confuse them with sexually transmitted infections which have almost the same symptoms.
Urinary tract infections can be very painful and invasive in life. They however are not as severe as sexually transmitted infections and will more often than not go away on their own. To help differentiate between STIs and UTIs, it is imperative to understand the symptoms, causes and preventive measures of the UTIs and know when to go to the emergency room for the urinary tract infections.
So, what causes urinary tract infections? Are the urinary tract infections transmittable? What are the symptoms of urinary tract infections that one should look out for? When should you go to the emergency room for urinary tract infections? How do emergency rooms treat urinary tract infections? Here is a quick guide on all you need to know about urinary tract infections;
Causes of Urinary Tract Infections
UTIs are caused by a bacteria that attacks the inner lining of the urinary tract. The bacterial infection often starts at the opening of the urethra and slowly advances upwards towards the kidneys. The farther up the urinary tract system that the infection gets, the more serious the infection becomes.
Are urinary tract infections transmittable?
Symptoms of Urinary Tract Infections
Flank pain
Treating Outer Ear Infections
The outer ear should be carefully cleaned. That should be followed by the application of antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory medications on your ear.
Antibiotics may be prescribed if your doctor determines that the infection is bacterial.
If you have a viral infection, you may simply need to tend to the irritation on your ear and wait for the infection to resolve itself. Depending on the type of virus involved, more specialized treatment may be necessary.
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Treating Middle Ear Infections
You may be prescribed antibiotics. Some antibiotics may be taken orally. Others can be applied directly to the site of the infection with ear drops. Medications for pain, such as over-the-counter pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs may also be used to manage your symptoms.
If youre still experiencing cold or allergy symptoms, you may be advised to take a , nasal steroids, or an antihistamine.
Another helpful technique is called autoinsufflation. Its meant to help clear your eustachian tubes. You do this by squeezing your nose, closing your mouth, and very gently exhaling. This can send air through the eustachian tubes to help drain them.
What Causes Ear Infections And Ear Pain
Ear pain and ear infection causes range from dental problems to a repetitive, simple common cold, or reactions to tobacco smoke. An earache is sometimes referred to as a clogged ear, because it occurs when one of the Eustachian tubes swells or becomes blocked. This causes fluid to build up in the middle ear.
Typical causes may include:
- Loss or lack of appetite
- A lack of balance
- Irregular sleeping habits
If your child experiences any of the symptoms above, you should seek appropriate care or receive a medical evaluation. There are many different causes linked to earaches, particularly in young children. These may range from otitis media to swimmers ear.
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When Is An Earache Something More
With the flu season in full swing, the number of patients who visit us complaining of earaches is on the rise.
There are many causes for earaches in both children and adults, some are minor issues that can be taken care of at home, while others might be serious enough to merit a visit to our ER.; Here are some tell-tale symptoms that will help you tell the difference.
Should You Go To Hospital For A Kidney Infection
UTIs can lead to serious complications. Consequently, its important that you seek the medical advice of a doctor immediately. If it is allowed to go untreated and the infection spreads, your body can go into what is called sepsis; this is your bodys extreme response to infection and can be life-threatening. Even if your infection does not cause sepsis, you could end up dealing with a lifetime of chronic kidney issues. Visit an emergency room as soon as possible so that a doctor can put you on a course of antibiotics.
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Surfaces Like Bed Rails And Hospital Elevator Buttons Need To Be Kept Clean Too
Your doctor probably wont tell you to wipe down surfaces in the hospital room with bleach or alcohol wipes. Yet high-touch areas like bed rails and elevator buttons can harbor the pathogens that cause infections.
Karen Curtiss, whose father contracted several HAIs in the hospital following a lung transplant, including MRSA and C. difficile, spent weeks in the hospital with her dad. She was never told to wipe down any surfaces with bleach or alcohol, or even to wash her own hands. We had no idea how easy it is to bring germs into the patients room, says Curtiss. Her father died at the age of 71 from these untreatable infections without ever leaving the hospital.
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When Does An Ear Infection Require Medical Treatment
An ear infection is caused by a bacterial or viral infection of the fluid within the eustachian tubes of the ear. ;There are many different factors that can lead to an ear infection. It can affect the outer, inner, or middle ear. Typically, ear infection symptoms can manifest very quickly. There is often a great deal of pain and discomfort associated with an ear infection. The pain is due to inflammation and fluid build-up within the tiny ear spaces located behind the eardrum.
Sometimes, the discomfort may go away on its own. If the pain does not go away, there are clues to whether medical attention is necessary. The medical experts at UrgentMED specialize in diagnosing ear infections in babies, children, and adults. We want to help you determine if you may need to visit one of our offices for ear infection treatment. ;
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Seeking Professional Treatment For Ear Infection
Unfortunately, most ear infections dont heal on their own. If youre suffering from a fever, severe pain, or if your symptoms have lasted for more than 24 hours, you should seek professional treatment before the infection gets worse. A local urgent care center or walk-in clinic is a great place to receive same-day treatment with no appointment.
Youll be diagnosed through a physical evaluation and a description of your symptoms. If the infection if not going away on its own, your doctor will likely prescribe antibiotics. You can continue taking over the counter pain relievers until the antibiotics offer some relief. Remember, even if you feel better before the prescription is finished, dont stop taking them! This common mistake gives an infection the perfect opportunity to flare up again.;
Get familiar with the urgent care centers and walk-in clinics in your area. Most have flexible hours with no appointment necessary, so theres no reason to delay treatment for your ear infection any longer!
How Can Fully Vaccinated People Become Infected With Coronavirus
Someone can become infected with COVID-19 just before or right after they get the vaccination, because it takes roughly two weeks before the vaccine is most effective. However, even after the immunity builds up, there’s still a chance they can become infected, according to the WHO, since the vaccines aren’t silver bullets against disease .
With millions of unvaccinated people around the world, new variants will emerge, Rock says. For example, the delta variant can pose a threat to people who are fully vaccinated — especially those who have high-risk medical conditions .
Dr. Anthony Fauci said;that more COVID-19 testing needs to be done on fully vaccinated people to better understand the breakthrough cases.
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When Do Children Need Tubes In Their Ears
If your child has frequent ear infections, or if he has trouble hearing because of ongoing fluid in the middle ear, he may need a tube inserted through the ear drum and into the middle ear. The tube helps to keep air pressure normal on both sides of the ear drum and helps fluid drain from the middle ear.
Putting tubes in requires a brief operation by an ear, nose and throat surgeon. Children usually go home the same day.
What Causes Infections
Infections, both bacterial and viral, spread in four main ways:
- Bites from infected insects, which are called vectors. For example, the Zika virus can be spread by mosquitos.;
- Direct contact with a person who has an infection. Transmission can occur through coughing, sneezing, touching, kissing, or sexual contact.
- Eating or drinking contaminated food or water.
- Indirect contact through a contaminated surface, such as a keyboard, water faucet, or doorknob. The inspection can spread if you dont wash your hands before touching your mouth, eyes, or nose.
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Treatment For Ear Pain
For ear pain that is caused by an infection, the doctors at an emergency room may prescribe antibiotics. These antibiotics most often come in the form of ear drops. It is essential to complete the entire course of antibiotics for an ear infection, even after the ear pain has disappeared. The bacteria that caused the infection may cause the ear infection to return if the entire prescription of antibiotics has not been completed.
A doctor at an emergency room may also recommend that the child use over the counter pain relievers for ears. These may include OTC pain relievers such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen. A doctor can recommend the right dose, depending on the child’s age and the amount of pain.
Can Ear Infections Be Prevented
Some lifestyle choices can help protect kids from ear infections:
- Breastfeed infants for at least 6 months to help to prevent the development of early episodes of ear infections. If a baby is bottle-fed, hold the baby at an angle instead of lying the child down with the bottle.
- Prevent exposure to secondhand smoke, which can increase the number and severity of ear infections.
- Parents and kids should wash their hands well and often. This is one of the most important ways to stop the spread of germs that can cause colds and, therefore, ear infections.
- Keep children’s immunizations up to date because certain vaccines can help prevent ear infections.
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What Increases Your Risk For Hospital Infections
Any patient in any healthcare facility can develop an HAI. But, some patients are more at risk than others. Patients with a greater risk include:
- Young children.
Interestingly, some new infection-control programs show very promising results. Below are a few examples of hospital efforts that have reduced infection rates.
What Safe Hospitals Do
Good hospitals focus on the basics:
USE ANTIBIOTICS WISELY. Almost half of hospital patients are prescribed at least one antibiotic, Srinivasan says, but up to half the time the drug is inappropriate. To combat antibiotic misuse, many good hospitals have antibiotic stewardship programs, often headed by a pharmacist trained in infectious disease, to make sure that patients get the right drug, at the right time, in the right dose.
Such programs often monitor the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics. Doctors at some hospitals use three times more of those all-purpose bug killers than others. Reducing broad-spectrum prescriptions by 30 percent would cut hospital rates of C. diff by more than 25 percent, plus reduce antibiotic resistance, says Clifford McDonald, M.D., a CDC epidemiologist
How to wash your hands
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When Should You Go To The Doctor For An Ear Infection
I used to suffer from ear infections perhaps every two months as a kid, and if theres one thing I dont want to experience again, its an ear infection.
Whilst they are numerous remedies to help ease sore throats, colds, and coughs, ear infections are a different matter.
Five out of six children will have had at least one by;their third birthday, but when should you do to the doctor for an ear infection?
Regular Toothbrushing Reduced Pneumonia Rates
Researchers found that when patients brushed their teeth twice/day, there was a 92% reduction in hospital-acquired pneumonia cases .
The researchers note that although this seems like a very simple mandate to implement, there are some barriers in hospitals, including:
- Hospital staff often feel that toothbrushing and other oral care is not an essential task but is an optional daily care activity for a patients comfort.
- The quality of toothbrushes and other oral care supplies at hospitals is often poorly designed or in limited supply.
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Home Treatment Isnt Working
There are a number of home remedies that can help with an infection. A warm compress, over-the-counter drops, and even tea tree oil are commonly used.
However, if youve tried to get rid of the infection with a home remedy and youre still having problems after a few days, its time to seek help. The last thing you want is for the infection to worsen.
In addition, if symptoms return after youve treated the infection at home, its time to call Amory Urgent Care.
How To Tell If Your Ear Infection Is Serious Enough For Urgent Care
Have you developed an ear infection and plan on waiting until it goes away by itself? Unfortunately, its not always that easy.
The most common cause of ear infections is a blockage of the estuation tube, which controls pressure in the middle ear. Trapped bacteria results in an infection.
Although its possible for this to clear up on its own, if you ignore the problem, the infection could spread. Thats why were going over some signs that its time to visit Amory Urgent Care.
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From Hospitals To Your Community Superbugs Are Everywhere
Shereen Lehman, MS, is a healthcare journalist and fact checker.;She has co-authored two books for the popular Dummies Series .
No discussion of patient safety would be complete without covering the growth of superbugs, infectious organisms that make patients sick and may even cause death. They are called superbugs because it’s very difficult to kill them with existing drugs, which limits treatment options.
- Necrotizing fasciitis, the flesh-eating bacterial disease
Infections Inside The Ear
Antibiotics are not usually offered because infections inside the ear often clear up on their own and antibiotics make little difference to symptoms, including pain.
Antibiotics might be prescribed if:
- an ear infection does not start to get better after 3 days
- you or your child has any fluid coming out of the ear
- you or your child has an illness that means there’s a risk of complications, such as cystic fibrosis
They may also be prescribed if your child is less than 2 years old and has an infection in both ears.
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