Covid and really bad ear ache

[Babyfg]

Hi I tested positive for covid on wed evening. Felt like a bit of a cold with a temp and was managing fine at home etc.

last night quite suddenly i had a pain in my right ear and it felt like water was sloshing about in it. I took paracetamol and tried to keep it warm was in pain but able to sleep.

This morning I've woken up and it's unbearable, I have a high temp, feel dizzy and it's like there's an echo in my ear which is really disorienting when someone talks to me. My ear also at different times sounds like it's humming or whistling. But the pain is the worse. It's radiating from my ear to my neck, jaw, eyeball socket and forehead. It feels like it's pressure and my ear is going to explode.

I've done a quick Google search and ear pain doesn't seem to be linked to covid.

Does it sound like an ear infection? I've not had one since I was a child. How do I get it seen to while I've got covid?

Sorry I sound like a big baby but the pain is so bad I've not even been able to look after my children today (ex came and collected them) and I'm panicking a bit.

Thank you

Give 111 a call. You may need antibiotics for a secondary infection, not necessarily caused by but made worse by covid.

They can help organise getting them to you if you’ve no one who could deliver them to you.

DH got that with covid and DS2 and I have recently had this with a normal cold. Doctor said it is caused by fluid build up behind the ear and although very painful, the best way to treat it is ibuprofen, and saline drops in the nose to help disperse the fluid.

One of those steam bowls with vicks and a towel over your head can help too.

There's not really much else to be done - they can pierce the eardrum to drain the fluid but it should get better by itself so better to avoid that if possible.

It's not always caused by an infection and if the cause is viral (which sounds likely if you have covid) antibiotics won't help - but I'm not a doctor so not sure how to tell if it had turned bacterial.

Blow your nose frequently
DD had v bad ear pain with Covid and a swollen face and another dozen symptoms. But they all eased and re-invented themselves. It will get easier.

DH had the whistling/tinnitus type symptoms and they took ages to go. I had the echoey ear with pain and pressure. Paracetamol and ibuprofen did help with the pain as did a warm cloth on it. The echoey symptom went when I popped my ear-did this by holding my nose and swallowing a few times. It did last a couple of weeks though. Get well soon

Also it doesn't always last weeks - cleared in 2-3 days here.

My DD has an ear infection with covid. They are miserable and I’m so sorry you’re suffering 😢😢 GP didn’t hesitate to prescribe ABs for her so might be worth seeking a medical opinion? X

I got a secondary ear infection with Covid.

I didn't have pain but my inner ears were so hot and I could feel fluid sloshing and bubbling about inside. I was very nauseous and off balance too.

I was prescribed antibiotics and they did help. I phoned my GP and was prescribed them over the phone.

This was my most painful symptom. I’d wake each morning and the ear id led on felt like it was about to explode!! The pressure and pain. was immense. I used anti inflammatories and tried to stay upright so the gunk didn’t pool in my ears. It was deffo connected to sinus issues which is a part of omicron.

I tested negative finally at day 10 but then immediately got severe ear pain later that day, I have an inner ear infection with pain and stiffness radiating into my jaw, which required antibiotics.

Paracetamol and ibuprofen if you can take it. Get it checked out at your go to see if you have an infection.

Hi sorry all for leaving the thread. The ear infection wiped me out and I was in bed for four days and very under the weather for another couple of days but more functioning. I rang 111 in the end and a doctor gave me antibiotics based on what I had told him. I don't know if it was covid or the ear infection (more than likely the combination of both) but it knocked me for six.

Thank you for all your replies and im beginning to wonder if there is a link between covid and secondary infections from anecdotes I've heard from friends.