Get Online Antibiotics for Ear Infection Treatment
You can connect with a doctor for ear infection treatment through our app, without booking a clinic appointment. Ear infections, particularly acute otitis media, are common in children and adults alike, and the pain often turns up a few days after a cold or a sore throat.
If a bacterial infection is behind your symptoms, our doctors can send an antibiotic such as Amoxicillin to your local pharmacy the same day, at the dose and dosing frequency that suit you. Start a chat now and get treated when it is medically appropriate.
How does online ear infection treatment work?
Connect with a health care professional online in 3 easy steps.
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- Ear Infection
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Hi Dr. Nicole, I have an ear infection. Can you help me?
Get prescription
Our online doctors can help you with your medical issues and give you prescriptions.
Prescription
- Amoxicillin + clavulanic acid 875mg /125mg
- Take twice a day for seven days
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What are the virtual treatment options for an ear infection?
Most ear infections are handled with pain relievers and, when a bacterial infection is likely, an antibiotic. Both can be addressed during a virtual visit. Here is what our doctors can do for you online:
- Go through your symptoms and history, then tell you whether your ear infection is likely to need an antibiotic or to settle on its own.
- Prescribe an oral antibiotic when it is medically appropriate, and send it to your local pharmacy the same day.
- Prescribe antibiotic ear drops when the infection sits in the ear canal or the ear is draining.
- Talk to you about over-the-counter acetaminophen or ibuprofen to help with the fever and pain while the infection clears.
- Follow up with you. If the antibiotics do not seem to be working within 48 to 72 hours, message the doctor again, because the treatment may need to change.
- Tell you when the problem needs to be seen in person. Ear tubes (tympanostomy) for fluid that will not clear, and a suspected ruptured eardrum, both need an in-clinic examination, and our doctors will say so rather than treat blindly.
What antibiotics can we prescribe for an ear infection?
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Learn More What is an ear infection?
An ear infection is an inflammation of the middle ear, usually caused by bacteria, that happens when fluid builds up behind the eardrum.
An acute ear infection develops quickly and is painful. Infections that last a long time or come and go are called chronic ear infections, and those need closer follow-up than a one-off earache.
What are the symptoms of an ear infection?
The symptoms a patient may experience include the following:
- Ear pain
- Disrupted sleep
- Decreased appetite
- Impaired hearing in the affected ear
- The sensation of ear fullness or pressure
- Discharge from the ear (yellow, brown, or white), indicating a potential ruptured eardrum
Ear Infection symptoms in infants and children include the following as well:
- Mouth breathing or increased snoring
- Fever ranging from 100.5 to 104 degrees F
- Reluctance to eat due to pressure changes in the middle ear while swallowing
What causes an ear infection?
Bacteria and viruses primarily trigger ear infections. These infections often follow a cold or upper respiratory illness. The microbes enter the eustachian tube and, from there, into the middle ear. Once inside, they cause inflammation and swelling of the eustachian tubes, resulting in blockage. This blockage impairs tube function, causing infected fluid to accumulate in the middle ear.
When is ear infection treatment at home not enough?
Plenty of ear infections clear without antibiotics, so treating the pain and giving the body time to heal is often all that is needed. A warm cloth against the ear, over-the-counter ear drops, and ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help.
Ear infection treatment at home has its limits, though. Speak to a doctor if:
- A child younger than 6 months has a fever or symptoms of an ear infection.
- A child older than 6 months has a fever higher than 102 degrees F (38.9 C), more severe pain, or other medical problems.
- Symptoms get worse even with treatment, or there is swelling behind the ear.
- Severe pain suddenly stops, which can mean the eardrum has ruptured.
- New symptoms may appear, such as a severe headache, dizziness, swelling around the ear, or twitching of the facial muscles.
- There is no improvement within 48 to 72 hours after symptom onset, at which point guidelines recommend initiating antibiotic therapy.
Any one of those is a good reason to talk to a doctor rather than wait it out. Ours can go through your symptoms in a chat and issue a same-day antibiotic prescription to your pharmacy when it is medically appropriate.
FAQs about ear infection
Where can you get antibiotics for an ear infection?
Antibiotics for an ear infection need a prescription, so a doctor has to assess you first. That assessment does not have to happen in a clinic. Our doctors can go through your symptoms in a chat and, when an antibiotic is appropriate, send the prescription to your local pharmacy the same day. Here is more on getting antibiotics without an in-person visit.
How quickly will an ear infection clear up with antibiotics?
Taking antibiotics for an ear infection usually makes it go away in a couple of days. Ear pain should subside within this time, but permanent hearing loss or ear fluid may not go away for a few weeks. When an infection causes fluid to collect in the middle ear, it may take as long as six weeks for the fluid to drain completely. To get rid of the infection quickly, it is important to start a treatment at your earliest. Get a same day online antibiotic prescription with Your Doctors Online and start the treatment now.
What is the best prescription for ear infections?
For most ear infections the first choice is high-dose amoxicillin (StatPearls). If that does not work, or you have had antibiotics recently, a doctor may prescribe Augmentin (amoxicillin/clavulanate). Azithromycin (Zithromax) is an alternative if you cannot take penicillin. For an infection in the ear canal or a draining ear, antibiotic ear drops such as Ciprodex may be used instead. The right choice depends on your age, your allergies and how severe the infection is.
Is there such a thing as antibiotic ear drops?
Yes, antibiotic ear drops are available to treat ear infections. These ear drops are specifically formulated to target bacterial infections in the ear canal. Healthcare providers prescribe antibiotic ear drops and are effective in delivering medication directly to the site of infection, allowing for faster and more targeted treatment compared to oral antibiotics. Examples of antibiotic ear drops include Ciprodex (ciprofloxacin and dexamethasone).
How do I know if my ear infection is bacterial or viral?
A medical evaluation by a healthcare provider is necessary to determine whether your ear infection is bacterial or viral. Because bacterial and viral infections share similar symptoms, such as fever and irritability, medical intervention is necessary to distinguish between the two.
Can a bacterial ear infection go away without antibiotics?
Yes, a bacterial ear infection can sometimes go away without antibiotics. Antibiotics might be in order if symptoms don't go away or get worse. On the other hand, antibiotics are usually necessary for cases of severe middle ear infections or infections that persist for more than two or three days.
When should I go to the doctor for an ear infection?
If you suspect an ear infection, it is essential to monitor symptoms like persistent ear pain, fever, or ear discharge. Contact a healthcare provider if symptoms worsen after a few days, especially in children, or if you experience severe pain, swelling, hearing loss, or other concerning signs.
What is a severe ear infection like?
Symptoms like a high fever (39°C or higher), discharge (pus, fluid, or discharge) from the ear, worsening symptoms, hearing loss, or symptoms that last longer than two or three days can indicate a severe ear infection.
Can online doctors treat ear infections?
You can get the treatment and prescription for ear infections online at Your Doctors Online with a budget-friendly cost and no wait times. Consult our doctors now to get treatment for ear infections online.
What is the fastest way to get rid of an ear infection in adults?
In adults, a mild ear infection often clears within two to three days. Otherwise, your provider will prescribe antibiotics to treat ear infections and prevent the infection from spreading. Consult our doctors at Your Doctors Online for the treatment of ear infections.
How to stop an earache fast in a child?
Earache can be treated with over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen or ibuprofen. However, ibuprofen is not given to a child less than six months old. You can apply a warm compress to help with the pain and swelling, but it is best to consult a doctor for advice, the correct medicine dosage, and avoid any complications.
How long do ear infections last without treatment?
Mild ear infections can go away within 2-3 days, but if the infection has persisted for more than three days, you need to see a doctor for the proper treatment. You can consult our online doctor at Your Doctors Online for the treatment and prescription of ear infections.
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