Ear Infection Symptoms in Adults

Ear infection is primarily caused by viruses or bacteria that enter the ears. Ear infection in adults is due to Eustachian tube infection that is situated near inner ear. This connects inner ear to nasal passages for to drain fluid from ears and to balance the pressure between interior and exterior of body. But the ear gets infected if the mucus or fluid blocks Eustachian tube. Ear infections in adults are of three types:

Otitis interna

This is also called labyrinths or inner ear infection.

Otitis externa

It is also known as swimmer’s ear or outer ear infection.

Otitis media

This is the most common type of ear infection in adults.

Ear Infection Symptoms in Adults

Fever

In some cases, ear infection is associated with fever. The temperature in the infected person may range from 101 – 102 Fahrenheit. However, one may not suffer from fever always, even if has ear infection. Thus, if you experience other ear infection symptoms, you must not wait for fever for initiating the treatment.

Nasal Congestion

This is one of the most common symptoms of ear infection in adults. This can be a initial symptom. However, many people fail to identify this as ear infection sign and mistake it to be a common cold symptom. If nasal congestion is accompanied with other symptoms, it must be a nasal congestion.

Difficulty in swallowing

Swallowing and chewing of food can cause ear pain. Thus, most people find it a difficult task to eat, that eventually leads to loss of appetite. This is the often prevalent in children because they can’t communicate the pain while swallowing food. The major symptom to detect ear infection is loss of appetite.

Sleeping problem

Often ear infection interferes with sleeping patterns of a person. Ear pain prevents a person to have sound sleep. This further causes irritability.

Diarrhea and Vomiting

The virus or bacteria which trigger ear infection can afflict the digestive system too. This can result in diarrhea and/or vomiting in a person. This condition is often mistaken to be a symptom of stomach upset. Diarrhea and vomiting may not be a symptom always.

Hearing loss and dizziness

Temporary hearing loss and dizziness are always attributed to ear infection. Rarely, one may experience a state of confusion or loss of balance.