Ear ache, feeling of pressure or fullness in the ear, hearing problems, dizziness, nausea or vomiting, drainage from the ear and fever, are the most common signs of ear infection, which if not treated may spread to nearby areas of the ear, especially the mastoid.
Renowned ENT expert and Associate Professor Department of ENT, Fatima Jinnah Medical College (FJMC), Professor Dr Mubarak Ali told Business Recorder that otitis media, commonly known as an ear infection, is the inflammation of the middle ear, which occurs in the middle ear. It can occur in one or both ears. Otitis media is the most frequent diagnosis in children, and it is the most common cause of hearing loss in children. Although most common in children, it can also affect adults, he added.
About causes of ear infections, Professor Mubarak said these are caused by blockage of the eustachian tube due to a cold, allergies or an upper respiratory infection. Bacteria or viruses in the ear lead to build-up of fluid (pus, mucus) behind the eardrum.
This infection is called acute otitis media. Ear infections may occur as a result of chronically infected adenoids and tonsils, he added.
About the treatment, he said most often antibiotics are prescribed to fight the ear infection and make the earache go away. Other medications that the doctor may prescribe include antihistamines (for allergies), decongestants (to break up the mucus, congestion) and both. The doctor may prescribe ear drops to ease the pain of an earache or to reduce pain/fever. Most often, ear infections clear up with medication, but when medical treatment doesn't work, surgery may be required, he added.
Talking about sore throat, he said, although it is a symptom of many medical disorders, but infections cause the majority of sore throats and are contagious. Infections are caused either by viruses such as the flu, the common cold, mononucleosis, or by bacteria such as strap, mycoplasma, or homophiles.
He stated that most viral sore throats accompany flu or colds along with a stuffy, runny nose, sneezing, and generalised aches and pains. These viruses are highly contagious and spread quickly, especially in winter.
According to him, the sore throats accompany other viral infections such as measles, chicken pox, whooping cough, and croup. Infectious mononucleosis or "mono" virus lodges in the lymph system, causing massive enlargement of the tonsils, with white patches on their surface and swollen glands in the neck, armpits, and groin.
It creates a severely sore throat and, sometimes, serious breathing difficulties. It can affect the liver, leading to jaundice-yellow skin and eyes. It also causes extreme fatigue that can last six weeks or more.
To a query, Professor Mubarak said that infections in the nose and sinuses also could cause sore throats, because mucus from the nose drains down into the throat and carries the infection with it. The most dangerous throat infection is epiglottis, caused by bacteria that infect a portion of the larynx (voice box) and cause swelling that closes the airway.
Talking about the tumours of the throat, tongue and larynx (voice box), he said these are usually associated with long-term use of tobacco and alcohol. Sore throat and difficulty swallowing, sometimes with pain radiating to the ear, may be symptoms of such a tumour.