They’re all related…

Your ears, nose, and throat have similar mucus membrane linings, which means they get similar infections; an infection, allergy or another problem affecting one of them may also affect the others. For instance, do you (or your children) have trouble hearing as well as a sore throat? It’s likely these symptoms are related. Experts such as Dr. Tom Dobleman or his Nurse Practitioner, Jean Koliha, will be able to tell for sure.

You may have a bacterial or viral infection that affects the middle ear, the air-filled space behind the eardrum that contains the tiny vibrating bones of the ear. Middle ear infections usually require antibiotic medications if they are sufficiently severe. ‘

Bacterial or virus?

Strep throat is an example of an infection caused by bacteria. Bacteria are single-celled microorganisms that thrive in many different types of environments. Most bacteria cause no harm to people. Of course, strep throat in an example.

The common cold is a result of a virus, which are even smaller than bacteria and require living hosts — such as people, plants or animals — to multiply. Otherwise, they can’t survive. When a virus enters your body, it invades some of your cells and takes over the cell “machinery,” redirecting it to produce the virus.

Regardless of whether your ailment begins with a bacteria or a virus, you can trust Dr. Dobleman to treat appropriately for pain and empower you to return to normalcy within two to four days.