Sinus Congestion becomes ear infection

[realwx]

Hi, I had the influenza virus (or its symptoms) 3 weeks ago, but I had temporarily been better. A week after that the influenza virus that I thought was gone allowed bacterial flu to come in, and I had sinus congestion symptoms. After that flu went away, I started coughing up white mucus, my nose was full of mucus, and there's mucus stuffed behind my eardrum, which is out of reach of a Q-tip and can't be drained out. My ears have been in pain since it was stuffed up, and only is in pain when I talk. As a result, I've missed so much school from this already.

[Wear/a/Jimmy]

Is this a question or a statement?

Either way, I doubt seriously a Q tip is going to be of any help regarding your hearing.

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/anatomy/ear/

If you look at the link the ear is comprised of 3 major areas, outer, middle and inner.

If you do have any fluid hindering your hearing it would be located in the middle ear cavity, which is a chamber. Theoritically you could shove a Q tip through the ear drum, (tearing through the ear drum)
thus allowing the middle ear cavity to drain...   But I would advise that!

You need to see a physicain and resolve this health matter.

[realwx]

I forgot to add "What should I do?" to the first post, but thanks!

[Enoch Choi, MD]

I advise my patients not to shove anything in their ears, for fear of puncturing their eardrums

The fluid in your inner ear is there because of the post-nasal drip from your flu, which clogged up the eustachian tubes that otherwise drain your ear.

I agree with Wear/a/Jimmy that a doc can help, specifically, in prescribing nasal steroids (and other sprays) and decongestants

Wear/a/Jimmy has a good way to rinse them:
http://www.medhelp.org/user_journals/show/665

[Wear/a/Jimmy]

Sorry, that should have read "But I would NOT advise that."


Secondly, that link posted by Dr. Choi is actually provided by Friggy.

[realwx]

I did see a doctor, and I was prescribed a nasal spray and told to take Motrin. Well, I yawned this morning and my right ear started cracking and very much in pain (for about 6 seconds). I became partly deaf in two ears now. Is this normal?

[Enoch Choi, MD]

Ear cracking sounds with pain can occur with otitis media with effusion (serous otitis media) which can be helped by steroid nasal sprays and rinsing with saline.  What nasal spray were you prescribed?

[Hippocrates777]

Chronic sore throat?  http://chronicsorethroat.wordpress.com/

[Enoch Choi, MD]

Hippocrates777, you may get more responses if you copied your wordpress blog entry and pasted it into a new MedHelp forum post here.

[Hippocrates777]

There is a viral infection that is going around and, amongst other symptoms, causes Skin Wrinkling, strong Chronic Fatigue, bizarre Personality Changes, and usually Chronic Sore Throat and/or Chronic Nasal Secretions

Here is an account of how this persistent virus infection, that started simply as a bad sore throat, gradually infected my whole body.

I caught this virus a several years ago. Being in excellent health, I thought nothing of it. Some weeks later, however, my throat did not clear up, and the infection was slowly spreading down my wind pipe.

A month later, it had spread further. My nose and sinuses were starting to get infected, producing heavy, thick mucus. My lungs became infected, with a mild cough, and my stomach became infected, and started aching a little, making bubbling sounds.

My gums got attacked: my gum line rapidly receded, exposing previously covered areas of my teeth.

Another month later, pins and needles sensations appeared all over body, especially in my legs, just under the skin. These felt like lots of tiny bites or pricks, constantly occurring.

Then some strange mental symptoms began. I suddenly became tense and uncomfortable with friends, family, and in public. I became mentally frail, and so avoided social contact more and more because of this. I even had this unpleasant mental anxiety just reading a book or listening to the radio.

Next, a profound apathy and mental laziness developed. The apathy was towards all sorts of activities. I lost all interest in the usual pleasures of life (anhedonia).

I had no idea that an infection could cause such powerful personality changes.

About 18 months after first catching this virus, a fine wrinkling of the skin all over my body appeared. This wrinkling of the skin looks like a medical condition called Wrinkly Skin Syndrome. Within a couple of years, the skin is prematurely aged.

Also at 18 months, joint looseness (especially in legs and hips) begin to manifest. It seems that the virus is attacking connective tissue (ligaments), or else is creating neuromuscular problems. This causes in walking gait changes, and a shuffling gait develops.

A scary feature of this virus is its persistence. It is not cleared from the body, but remains active, and its symptoms appear to be progressive. The mental state changes are permanent, and the skin wrinkling and muscular flaccidity get worse over time.

This infection is probably a virus (rather than a bacterial or fungal disease), because three separate bacterial cultures that my doctors conducted showed negative results. My doctors have not yet been able to identify this mystery pathogen: tests for infectious diseases failed to identify any pathogens, so the nature of this infection remains a mystery at this stage.


Further details on this chronic sore throat virus are here:

http://chronicsorethroat.wordpress.com/

[Enoch Choi, MD]

These symptoms are not easily attributable to a viral illness.  Even without bacterial culture results, it may be more of an autoimmune or issue with depression or anxiety.

I would get another opinion from an infectious disease specialist at a university medical center

[Hippocrates777]

Many thanks for your reply. I have seen this pathogen (whatever it is) pass to more than 15 different people via household contact and ordinary social contact, so it is not just me that has these symptoms. The symptoms are reasonably unusual and therefore quite noticeable when someone else gets them, especially the chronic rhinitis, fine skin wrinkles, and the personality changes, which are all very common ones.

I have been to one university infectious disease medical center, with negative tests for various pathogens, and C-reactive protein normal. I will get some further tests conducted soon, but I am not sure what tests should be performed.

http://chronicsorethroat.wordpress.com/

[kgn340]

Hi, Hip ...

This is Kevin from Saskatoon.
I'll be commenting on your blog soon.  I have the extreme version of the symptoms that you list (little over a year).  I think that a group of us needs to form.  There is a serious pandemic here and no one (but us) seems to recognize it.
Hope to chat soon.
Take care,
Kevin

[ANDRES75]

two years ago I suffered i will call it an alergy (allergy) attack,  i was out in the park and all of a sudden my nose,  sinuses and ears were stuff with fluid , i was advice to take benadril , i was deaf for a week and later a could hear from my left ear bu lost hearing from my right i went like this for 4 months when i went back to the doctor i found out i had an ear infection the strange thing is that i never experience pain or fever i took antibiotics and the infection went away buy i lost hearing on that ear i still haven found out what went on and why i lost hearing can any one explain me or tell me if there is a chance that i get my hearing back?

[greywolf007]

Hi Dr. Choi

I have been experiencing pain in my right ear for 7 days now; sharp pain when I cough, drink hot or cold fluids, burp, etc. Only relieved is by taking Motrin every 10 hours or so.  It feels like it is directly connected to when I swallow as well.  I have sensitivity from my right jaw all the way to the top of my head on my right side; "pressure" dull ache sensation like a sore muscle; no headache though.  I was experiencing some mild stuffy nose (sinus) symptoms just before the ear pain and other symptoms. Recently went in to have it checked and was told that my eardrum appeared normal but there was some inflamation (inflammation) in the canal near the eardrum.  I was given Neomycin & Polymyxin B Sulfates & Hydrocortisone for the inflamation (inflammation) in the canal but after 2 days of taking it I have had no relief.  I am now thinking  this is more of an infection in the tube that connects to the inner ear vs. the sore spot in the ear canal itself.  What do you think? Suggestions?

Thank you for your expertise!

Thanks greywolf007

[biloo]

ahhhhhhhh this season is bringing more n more sickness.... i had sinus congestion and then had ear ache too right ear... few days ago it felt blocked with sharp pain using motrin worked..also right side throat was sore n neck was swollen...  but i've seen a doc n have ear fluid n infection ...i am on amoxicillin, nasal spray n also sudafed to clear congestion...feel much better now...gud luck greywolf007 n dont delay to see a doc...

[biloo]

hmmm... u've seen a doc... ya cud b a ET related ... sometimes lymph nodes, jaw related issues can trigger ear pain...did u get a chance to visit a dentist....i had a prob with my wisdom tooth all yr round i had dull ache in my ear n every time i visited doc she said ear is ok...it was from tooth... gud luck once again...

[greywolf007]

Thanks for your input biloo.  It's somewhat soothing to know that others have experienced similar issues.  I have put in another email to my primary md for follow-up.

[yourpaldan]

Hello;
I have had a slight cold for over a week, runny nose and coughing up yellow mucus.
That is mostly gone now, but i have a pain in my ear i have never felt before.
It is as if i am going through an altitude change, or as if there is fluid inside there.
Actually, when i turn my head sideways it gets better.
I am worried about an infection since I am in a foriegn country, i.e. France.
If some over the counter drugs would work, than that would be far preferable than seeing a doctor if not really needed.
Any advice on what is wrong?