Ear Infection Quiz
Check your symptoms and
find possible causes with AI for free
Reviewed By:
Eric A. Gantwerker, MD, MMSC (Otolaryngology (ENT))
Pediatric Otolaryngologist at Northwell Health and Associate Professor of Otolaryngology at Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell. He holds a Master of Medical Science (MMSc) in Medical Education with a special focus on educational technology, educational research, and game-based learning from Harvard Medical School and a Master of Science in Physiology and Biophysics from Georgetown University. He has a special interest in faculty development and has been a speaker or faculty at hundreds of local, national, and international courses and conferences. He is also an active blogger and podcaster for several organizations, including the Harvard Macy Institute (HMI), Harvard Medical School CME Online, and BackTable Innovations. He has been featured in the news and print for media outlets such as USA Today, Businesswire, The Washington Post, Nature Medicine, Fox News, and KevinMD. He was also the Vice President, Medical Director of a medical video game company, Level Ex from 2018 to 2023 that utilized game technology and psychology to create interactive experiences for healthcare professionals. | He is recognized as an expert on the implementation of educational technologies and gaming with a foundation in educational theory for health professions education. He was honored to be inducted as an Associate Member of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Academy of Master Surgeon Educators and as an Associate Fellow of the Association for Medical Education in Europe (AMEE).
Rohini R, MD (Otolaryngology (ENT))
Dr. Rohini R is an ENT, Head and Neck Surgeon, with a Fellowship in Advanced Endoscopic Sinus and Skull Base Surgery and a Fellowship in Aesthetic Medicine and Lasers. Besides clinical practice and working with Ubie, she is actively training and mentoring medical students and residents. She has functioned in various work settings - teaching hospitals, private and free health centers, and worked with patients from all socioeconomic backgrounds due to her experience in free hospitals and volunteering in India and Singapore.
Content updated on Mar 31, 2024
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How Ubie Can Help You
With an easy 3-min questionnaire , Ubie's AI-powered system will generate a free report on possible causes.
Questions are customized to your situation and symptoms, including the following personal information:
Biological Sex - helps us provide relevant suggestions for male vs. female conditions.
Age - adjusts our guidance based on any age-related health factors.
History - considers past illnesses, surgeries, family history, and lifestyle choices.
Your symptoms
Our AI
Your report
Your personal report will tell you
✔︎  When to see a doctor
✔︎  What causes your symptoms
✔︎  Treatment information etc.
People with similar symptoms also use Ubie's symptom checker to find possible causes
Hands and feet feel hot
Limbs feel hot
Ear pain worsens when I pull my earlobe
Fever then no fever then fever again
I feel uncomfortable in my ear
Periodic fever (>100.4°F / 38°C)
Remittent fever of 102.2°F / 39°C
Just 3 minutes.
Developed by doctors.
What is Ear Infection?
Infection of the middle ear (area just behind the eardrum) by bacteria or viruses. Contributing factors include nasal obstruction by adenoids and allergic rhinitis. The symptoms can include ear pain or fullness, fevers, and muffled hearing. This is more common in children but can also present in adults. In severe cases, the eardrum may rupture leading to drainage coming out the ear canal.
Typical Symptoms of Ear Infection
Hands and feet feel hot
Family history of congenital hearing loss
Discharge of yellow or green sputum.
Ear pain
Fever
Hearing difficulty
Common cold or stomach flu symptoms before the fever appeared
History of nose or sinus surgery
Doctor's Diagnostic Questionson Ear Infection
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this disease:
Are your hands or feet hot?
Do any of your family members have congenital hearing loss?
Do you have yellow or green sputum?
Are your ears hurting?
Do you have a fever?
Treatmentof Ear Infection
As the majority of otitis media is caused by viruses/colds, this condition is often self-limited and can be treated with over-the-counter analgesics. Importantly, antibiotics are not effective against viruses and the fluid that comes before or after the infection will not be affected by antibiotics. Nasal steroids or antihistamines may be helpful to treat the underlying eustachian tube dysfunction. If the infection is recurrent or lasts for a long time a tiny tube may be inserted into the eardrum to help fluid drain and allow for the treatment with ear drops instead of oral antibiotics.
Think you might have
Ear Infection
View the symptoms of Ear Infection
Diseases related to Ear Infection
References
Harmes KM, Blackwood RA, Burrows HL, Cooke JM, Harrison RV, Passamani PP. Otitis media: diagnosis and treatment. Am Fam Physician. 2013 Oct 1;88(7):435-40. Erratum in: Am Fam Physician. 2014 Mar 1;89(5):318. Dosage error in article text. PMID: 24134083.
https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2013/1001/p435.html
Shirai N, Preciado D. Otitis media: what is new? Curr Opin Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2019 Dec;27(6):495-498. doi: 10.1097/MOO.0000000000000591. PMID: 31592792.
https://journals.lww.com/co-otolaryngology/Abstract/2019/12000/Otitis_media__what_is_new_.12.aspx
Venekamp RP, Damoiseaux RA, Schilder AG. Acute Otitis Media in Children. Am Fam Physician. 2017 Jan 15;95(2):109-110. PMID: 28084706.
https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2017/0115/p109.html
Wallis S, Atkinson H, Coatesworth AP. Chronic otitis media. Postgrad Med. 2015 May;127(4):391-5. doi: 10.1080/00325481.2015.1027133. PMID: 25913599.
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00325481.2015.1027133
User Testimonials
Reviewed By:
Eric A. Gantwerker, MD, MMSC (Otolaryngology (ENT))
Pediatric Otolaryngologist at Northwell Health and Associate Professor of Otolaryngology at Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell. He holds a Master of Medical Science (MMSc) in Medical Education with a special focus on educational technology, educational research, and game-based learning from Harvard Medical School and a Master of Science in Physiology and Biophysics from Georgetown University. He has a special interest in faculty development and has been a speaker or faculty at hundreds of local, national, and international courses and conferences. He is also an active blogger and podcaster for several organizations, including the Harvard Macy Institute (HMI), Harvard Medical School CME Online, and BackTable Innovations. He has been featured in the news and print for media outlets such as USA Today, Businesswire, The Washington Post, Nature Medicine, Fox News, and KevinMD. He was also the Vice President, Medical Director of a medical video game company, Level Ex from 2018 to 2023 that utilized game technology and psychology to create interactive experiences for healthcare professionals. | He is recognized as an expert on the implementation of educational technologies and gaming with a foundation in educational theory for health professions education. He was honored to be inducted as an Associate Member of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Academy of Master Surgeon Educators and as an Associate Fellow of the Association for Medical Education in Europe (AMEE).
Rohini R, MD (Otolaryngology (ENT))
Dr. Rohini R is an ENT, Head and Neck Surgeon, with a Fellowship in Advanced Endoscopic Sinus and Skull Base Surgery and a Fellowship in Aesthetic Medicine and Lasers. Besides clinical practice and working with Ubie, she is actively training and mentoring medical students and residents. She has functioned in various work settings - teaching hospitals, private and free health centers, and worked with patients from all socioeconomic backgrounds due to her experience in free hospitals and volunteering in India and Singapore.
Think you might have
Ear Infection
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Cardiothoracic Surgery, Vascular Surgery
Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery Associates
