Double Ear Infections

An ear infection can be very uncomfortable, annoying and painful. A double ear infection is even more painful and difficult to overcome. There are effective treatments and remedies to cure a double ear infection.

Definition

• A double ear infection is when both the inner and the middle ear become infected. A double ear infection can either be viral or bacterial but is usually too expensive to test, so most doctors treat the symptoms rather than make a conclusive diagnosis.

Symptoms

• A double ear infection will cause severe pain in and around the ear, plus fever, chills, fluid discharge from the ear and headaches.

Treatment

• Most doctors will treat a double ear infection with prescribed antibiotics to kill any bacterial infection. A doctor may also recommend taking ibuprofen to reduce any inflammation and reduce the pain.

Prevention

• Double ear infections can be prevented by maintaining a healthy immune system--eating a well-balanced diet, drinking at least six 8-ounce glasses of water daily and getting eight hours of sleep a night. Hand washing will also stop the spread of harmful bacteria and viruses that cause double ear infections.

Complications

• If a double ear infection goes untreated, it can spread to other parts of the body such as the sinuses, the chest and even the brain. This can lead to hospitalization if the infection gets out of hand.