Is Pressure In The Canal Of Left Ear A Symptom Of HPV Infection?

Posted on Mon, 27 Jun 2016

Question: Hello, I'm not sure what information I will provide is relevant to my symptoms but I will provide as much as possible hopefully leading to a more accurate diagnosis. I have neglected my health over the past 3 years. This means drug abuse, alcohol abuse, smoking and engaging in risky behavior with sex workers. I know that this has to change and that will be done. I'm just looking for an expert opinion on the following. I have been experiencing a light discomfort, pressure almost in the canal of my left ear, this has been ongoing to a period of 2 months and I am not sure what it is. If I was to guess, I would assume that this could possibly be an oral hpv infection and that the pressure in my ear may have to do with something in my throat. As mentioned I have in engaged In high risk oral sex with high risk partners and have been drinking and smoking fairly frequently. I had also been to the dentist 2 months ago and had some work done on my lower left side. I think that i will have to visit an ENT specialist, have MRI done to get to the core of this. In the meantime, I'm wandering if anyone can shed some light here.

Answered by Dr. Ashwini Kolur (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
get your ear examined by the local doctor

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
I have gone through your query.

I would suggest you to avoid alcohol, smoking, substance abuse and risky sexual behavior. And I do understand that you do realize this and want to stop, that's good start.

Regarding your ear problem, I feel it is less likely to be related to the HPV. I feel pressure might be due to sore throat. It might be due to ear eax., sinusitis.
I would like to know few information like have suffered from sinusitis recently? Common cold?

I would suggest you to see local health care provider for general physical examination and ear examination, which will be helpful in diagnosing your problem. I don't think you need MRI presently.

Meanwhile I would suggest you to drink plenty of water especially warm water. Salt warm water gargaling three to four time a day. Steam inhalation with few drops of eucalyptus oil in it 3 to 4 times day. You should see some improvement with this measures.

Hope this helps
Take care.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Naveen Kumar

Follow up: Dr. Ashwini Kolur (1 hour later)

HI and thanks for getting back. I met with my GP a couple of weeks ago. She was able to examine my ear and found nothing unusual. She also checked my neck and jaw area for any pain or swollen lymph nodes and did not find anything. She prescribed Naproxen which I have been taking twice daily for a week now. The medication has not helped Also, I don't have any visible lesions in my mouth or anything that would look abnormal from a self examination. My lips do tingle from time to time and I've experienced this tingling before, normally it just goes away after a few weeks. I don't know how much I can account to anxiety and how much I should really be concerned about. Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Ashwini Kolur (11 hours later)

Brief Answer:
follow the instructions suggested in earlier post

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX

As you have mentioned that you have seen local doctor and has mentioned to you that they have found nothing abnormal, then I feel you should not worry much about it.

Some times blocked eustachian tube can present with symptoms mentioned by you. I would suggest you to follow the measures as suggested in the earlier post. Salt warm water gargling can help dissolving mucus if any present at the end of the tube. I will also encourage you to practice some valsalva maneuver like blowing a balloon, chewing gum. You can check for these on youtube.

Regards

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad