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Cough, Cold, Sore Throat, Blocked Ears. Used Q-tip To Reduce The Itching. Permanent Damage Caused?
Hello, I ve had a bad cough and cold for over one week. I ve been coughing so much, my throat feels raw and painful. This morning, I wet the tip of a Q-Tip to get rid of an itch (as I ve done hundreds of times) but I felt some pain in the ear, followed by a blocked ear. The pain is still there. Could I have caused some permanent damage? Can this disappear on it s own? Thank you.
posted on
Wed, 2 Jan 2013
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Wed, 2 Jan 2013
Answered on
Wed, 2 Jan 2013
Last reviewed on
Hello,
Thank you for posting your query,
As per your description you are having an ENT infection and an upper respiratory tract infection (URTI). The cough and cold are due to the URTI and since it has been persisting for over a week, I will suggest you first of visit your doctor so that he/she could evaluate the extend to which your infection has progressed. Normally, it is usually cause by virus and symptoms would disappear on its on or with use of antituissive ( for cough) and antihistamine/steroid for the cold. It could also be caused by bacteria and very common. So your doctor might need to place you on antibiotics like amoxicillin+clavulinic acid or azithromycin tablets etc. The ear pain might be due to an associated bacteria infection which my have been a hematogenic propagation of the URTI and a course of antibiotics might need to be administered.
There is probably no permanent damage done yet. Permanent damage like hypoacusia or deafness can result due to ear infection (acute otitis) but it is very very very rare. An urgent visit to your doctor, will be of paramount importance so that your affection could be managed in due time.
Hope this helps
Thank you for posting your query,
As per your description you are having an ENT infection and an upper respiratory tract infection (URTI). The cough and cold are due to the URTI and since it has been persisting for over a week, I will suggest you first of visit your doctor so that he/she could evaluate the extend to which your infection has progressed. Normally, it is usually cause by virus and symptoms would disappear on its on or with use of antituissive ( for cough) and antihistamine/steroid for the cold. It could also be caused by bacteria and very common. So your doctor might need to place you on antibiotics like amoxicillin+clavulinic acid or azithromycin tablets etc. The ear pain might be due to an associated bacteria infection which my have been a hematogenic propagation of the URTI and a course of antibiotics might need to be administered.
There is probably no permanent damage done yet. Permanent damage like hypoacusia or deafness can result due to ear infection (acute otitis) but it is very very very rare. An urgent visit to your doctor, will be of paramount importance so that your affection could be managed in due time.
Hope this helps
I find this answer helpful
User's Response
Dr. Harmandip Singh's
Response
hello natmal, this is a throat infection which is causing blockage of ears raw throat and cough.use warm water ,avoid oily and spicy food . add antibiotics cefixime 2oo mg twice daily for 3-5 days with paracetamol plus nimuslide combination.
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