Abhishek Khattar, 30, software engineer from Rohtak experienced ear pain in mid-March after visiting his friend who had a mild ear infection. “I started experiencing a slight cold around a week later after coming back to my home, and also a mild ear pain along with the cold,” he says.
As Khattar experienced similar symptoms as his friend—a common cold followed by ear pain, he suspected the latter to be contagious. Many of us would ponder if the ear infection were contagious. Undoubtedly, it is not, however, there is an exception to consider.
Are ear infections contagious?
“Ear infections are not contagious in the traditional sense,” says Dr Nikhat Parveen, ENT specialist, Pride ENT clinic, Kolkata. The bacteria that cause most ear infections are already present in the respiratory tract, so they cannot be spread from person to person. However, the germs that trigger ear infections, such as the common cold and flu, are contagious. They can spread when one coughs or sneezes, comes in contact with contaminated surfaces, or through direct contact with the ear canal, she adds.
“However, if there’s an ear discharge that comes in contact with open wounds of the same or another person, the infection spreads easily,” says Dr Rohit Udaya Prasad, ENT and Cochlear Implant Surgery consultant, Aster RV Hospital, Bengaluru.
What is an ear infection?
In general, ear infections are not considered to be a major public health concern. However, they can be more serious in some cases, such as in infants and young children.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), ear infections are common in children. Around 80 per cent of them contract at least one infection before they turn three.
The anatomy of the ear is differentiated into three major regions covering the outer, middle, and inner areas.
“Otitis externa or swimmer’s ear is the infection of the external ear canal, otitis media is the infection of the middle ear canal and one of the most common ear infections affecting children. Inner ear infection or labyrinthitis is the infection and inflammation of the membranes in the inner ear,” says Dr Parveen.
What causes ear infection?
Dr Prasad says that ear infections can be due to causes localised to their ear/s. Local ear-related issues can be due to poor hygiene of the external ear. This includes using earbuds/ instruments to clean, or water entering the ear that leads to fungal infections.
He adds that middle ear infections are often caused due to nasal infections that affect the eustachian tube. Moreover, cholesteatoma (abnormal skin growth trapped within the middle ear) can lead to deep-seated ear infections involving the mastoid bone.
Besides, the CDC says that bacteria and virus that cause pneumonia, influenza, and the common cold can cause ear infection, majorly affecting the middle ear canal of one or both ears.
Additionally, there was a surge in respiratory conditions when Khattar and his friend got infected. The Indian Medical Association had passed notifications in the same month to prevent flu.
How to prevent ear infection?
One should seek medical advice at the earliest if the symptoms do not improve in three to four days. Moreover, if the ear pain accompanies fever, headache, or blood discharge, consult an expert without fail. There are also simple ways to keep one’s ears healthy.
Dr Parveen and Dr Prasad share ways to prevent and manage ear infection:
- Do not use ear buds to clean the ear passage/canal.
- Avoid touching ear entrance with unclean fingers.
- Seek early treatment from an ENT specialist to address and prevent middle ear infections caused by nasal issues.
- Maintain good hand, mouth, and nose hygiene to prevent upper respiratory infections.
- Refrain from touching your eyes, nose, and mouth to minimise the spread of germs through your hands.
- Wash your hands frequently, particularly after being near someone who is unwell.
- Stay hydrated to loosen mucus and cough easily.
