Are Ear Infections Contagious? What You Need to Know
Estimated Reading Time: 6 minutes
|Ear infections don’t usually come out of nowhere. They often show up after you’ve had a cold, the flu, or any upper respiratory bug. Basically, they’re the aftermath of being sick ; especially if you’ve been around someone who’s already under the weather.
Want to lower your chances? Keep your distance from germs when you can, and try not to catch a cold in the first place. While many ear infections resolve without intervention, some do require a visit to the doctor.
In this article, we’ll break down what causes ear infections, whether they’re contagious, who’s most at risk, and how to prevent or treat them if they pop up.
What Is an Ear Infection?
An ear infection happens when bacteria or viruses cause inflammation inside the ear, most commonly in the middle ear behind the eardrum. This often leads to fluid buildup, which puts pressure on the area and causes pain. In some cases, infections may also affect the outer or inner parts of the ear, but these are less frequent.
Are Ear Infections Contagious?
Are ear infections contagious, is a leading question. The answer is no. It is caused due to bacterial or viral infections, and sometimes by nasal adenoids. Many types of bacteria and viruses, like the ones causing flu and colds, are responsible for ear infections.
It begins with a cold or upper respiratory tract infection, where the germs travel into your middle ear via the eustachian tube and result in swelling of the tube. Swelling leads to blockade and dysfunction, which ultimately causes the infected fluid to flow into the middle ear.
Can It Spread Between Children and Adults?
Ear infections aren’t something you can catch from someone else. But the cold or flu that causes them? That can spread pretty easily. So, while the ear infection itself isn’t contagious, the virus behind it often is.
A study by the NIDCD (National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders) explains that bacterial ear infections often develop after illnesses like the common cold, sore throat, or an upper respiratory tract infection. These infections can spread to the middle ear, where fluid starts to collect and causes inflammation.
The flu is another example. It spreads through droplets released when someone coughs or sneezes. If those droplets enter another person’s nose or mouth, the virus can take hold — and in some cases, lead to an ear infection.
What are the 3 Types of Ear Infections?
The 3 types of ear infections include:
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External Ear Infection
Also referred to as swimmer's ear. It is due to excessive moisture in the outer ear. It can occur due to swimming, showering, bacterial, fungal infections, skin conditions and allergies.
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Middle Ear Infection
Also called as otitis media. It is the most common and least serious form. It can be caused by a viral, bacterial or upper respiratory tract infection. The middle ear is swollen with fluid accumulated in it, and sometimes fever may occur, too.
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Inner Ear Infection
Also called labyrinthitis and can cause dizziness and hearing loss as well. In inner ear infections, the inner ear is swollen, irritated due to cold, flu, allergies and also due to a condition like meningitis.
What Are The Risk Factors For Ear Infection?
The risk factors for ear infection are:
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Age
Infants and children in the age group between 6 months to 2 years are at greater risk.
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Cold
Having a cold translates to a greater and direct risk of ear infection. Children in day care or group surroundings are surrounded by other children, where even if a single child has a cold or respiratory illness then it may immediately spread to the healthy child.
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Family history
Getting an ear infection may also be due to family history or running in families from generation to generation.
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Unhealthy environment
Polluted air and smoky surroundings can increase the risk of getting an ear infection.
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Chronic illnesses
Chronic or long-term illnesses, including poor immune system diseases, long-standing colds, and chronic respiratory illnesses like asthma, may also increase the risk of ear infections.
The upside? You can do a lot to prevent them: especially in kids.
How to Prevent it?
Ear infections aren’t contagious. The spread can be arrested by avoiding coming in contact with germs and following some simple measures.
Preventing colds and respiratory illnesses
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Proactively prevent cold in 1st year after the child’s birth.
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Later, teach them to frequently wash their hands, keeping their hand close to their
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mouth during coughing and sneezing.
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Ask them not to share food, cups, etc, which may stop the spread.
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Avoid daycares until they are a little older, which may reduce the risk of ear infection in them.
Up-to-date vaccinations
Get vaccinated for flu and other viral infections. The recommended vaccines for preventing ear infections in children are the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, which protects from many types of bacteria causing ear infections and the yearly flu vaccines.
Avoid smoking and indirect smoke
Do not smoke and allow others to smoke around the child.
Breastfeeding
Try to breastfeed your child in the initial 6-12 months. As the mother's milk contains antibodies that protect the child from ear infections.
When is the Proper Time To See A Doctor For An Ear Infection?
1. Ear infections may not need medical intervention; they go away in some time. If it does not and goes beyond 2-3 days and becomes severe, then approach the Doctor.
2. Doctors usually watch over the symptoms for at least 2 days in young children with little pain and a middle ear infection.
3. If your symptoms do not improve, then they may initiate antibiotic therapy along with other ear medications like ear drops.
Contagious Ear Infections: Myths and Facts
Myth#1: Ear infections are contagious: This is an absolute myth, as ear infections cannot be transmitted between two people.
Fact#1: Ear infections are not contagious: The underlying diseases, like cold, flu and respiratory illnesses, may cause ear infections.
Myth#2: Antibiotics are the cure: Only bacterial and long-standing infections require antibiotics. Viral infections go away on their own.
Fact#2: Antibiotics are not for viral infections: The viral infection resolves on its own in some time. The antibiotics for bacterial infection are given after observing for 48 hours.
Takeaway Message
Ear infections can occur in any part of the ear but are more common in the middle ear. They can be identified with symptoms like pain, liquid oozing from the ear and fever.
As ear infections can be life-threatening sometimes, take measures to prevent them, know about the risk factors can be of good help. Lastly, in case infections worsen, visit your ENT specialist, who can provide you with appropriate treatment if necessary.
A little awareness goes a long way and knowing when to act can make all the difference.
Disclaimer: This blog is for informational purposes only and does not provide medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional before making changes to your diet or health routine. Individual results may vary.
References
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Danishyar A, Ashurst JV. Acute otitis media. Stat Pearls - NCBI Bookshelf. Published April 15, 2023. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470332/
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Ear infections in children. NIDCD. Published March 16, 2022. https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/ear-infections-children
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Ear infections. Paediatrics & Child Health. 2009;14(7):465-466. doi:10.1093/pch/14.7.465
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U.S. Department of Health and Human Services ∙ National Institutes of Health. Ear Infections in Children. https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/sites/default/files/Documents/health/hearing/EarInfectionsInChildren.pdf
