Question 1

please tell me if you can fly with a middle ear infection?

Accepted Answer

No.: There is pus in the middle ear, the eardrum is stretched tight.  Pressure changes from flying may cause excruciating pain and potential rupture. Flight attendant patient told me they don't let her (nor pilots) work when they have ear or sinus infections. I caught a sinus infection on travel once, ear pain was unbearable, almost made a grown woman cry.

Question 2

i believe i have middle ear infection, would it be safe to fly (approx 20hours)?

Accepted Answer

Yes: If it is a true middle ear infection it means there is fluid &amp; or pus in your middle ear space. This would end the common changes experienced in flight when air is forced out of that space during the ride up &amp; it comes back when you land creating the need to yawn/pop your ears. Some suggest  this could rupture the drum but that has not been so in my experience.

Question 3

could i flush a middle ear infection?

Accepted Answer

No: These structures are not set up to permit such a treatment. The only point where the middle ear has an opening is buried in the back of your throat.

Question 4

best way to treat a middle ear infection?

Accepted Answer

Otitis media: If acute, antibiotics and pain meds, if unrelieved needs myringotomy to let out pus. 
If chronic, you may need tubes, if mastoid infection is present may need mastoidectomy.

Question 5

what can i do if i have a middle ear infection?

Accepted Answer

See below: You can try controlling the pain for 3 days. Most ear infections will resolve on their own in that time frame. After 3 days, if you still have symptoms, you will need an antibiotic.

Question 6

could you have a middle ear infection without pain?

Accepted Answer

Maybe: Pain from a middle ear infection often comes from excessive pressure in the ear.  If you have a hole in the eardrum you likely wouldn't have pain because the pressure can't build up, but you would likely have a significant amount of drainage from the ear in that case.  With a cold you can have a noninfected effusion in the middle ear and these may not be painful (though you can have hearing loss).

Question 7

how long will it take for a middle ear infection to go?

Accepted Answer

: The bacteria in middle ear infections are often killed off within a few days to 10. The fluid residual in the space can take weeks to clear after the germs are dead.

Question 8

why do i always get a middle ear infection following a cold?

Accepted Answer

Otitis media: When you have a "cold", which is a viral URI, there is swelling of the tissues in the back of the throat. This can create partial obstruction of the eustacian tube (from the middle ear to the lateral throat) and this can lead to ear infection.

Question 9

what do you recommend if i have a middle ear infection in each ear. they were completely that good or bad?

Accepted Answer

Ear infection: See your doctor for evaluation and treatment of your bilateral ear infection. Amoxicillen is usually the drug of choice.

Question 10

i have a middle ear infection, being treated, but my ear keeps popping and paining me?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Unfortunately that's your eustachian tube opening and closing.  There are anesthetic ear drops that can be prescribed, or you can try a heated towel over your ear and see if that helps.  Oral pain medicine like Motrin might also be helpful.

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Doctor answers about:

Flying with a middle ear infection

A member asked:

Please tell me if you can fly with a middle ear infection?

A member asked:

I believe i have middle ear infection, would it be safe to fly (approx 20hours)?

A member asked:

Could i flush a middle ear infection?

A member asked:

Best way to treat a middle ear infection?

A member asked:

What can i do if i have a middle ear infection?

A member asked:

Could you have a middle ear infection without pain?

A member asked:

How long will it take for a middle ear infection to go?

A member asked:

Why do i always get a middle ear infection following a cold?

A member asked:

What do you recommend if i have a middle ear infection in each ear. they were completely that good or bad?

A member asked:

I have a middle ear infection, being treated, but my ear keeps popping and paining me?

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