It can be hard to tell the difference between an earache caused by a cold and one caused by an ear infection, but a sudden fever and higher temperature can indicate an infection. Other symptoms include loss of appetite, trouble sleeping, ear drainage, difficulty hearing, and irritability. If in doubt, it’s best to see a doctor for an examination.
Sometimes it is difficult to distinguish between an earache caused by a cold and ear pain caused by an ear infection. The main difference between an ear infection and a cold is that ear pain caused by a common cold is usually accompanied by cold symptoms. For example, you may get a runny nose, green or yellow mucus, and a sore throat with a cold. Earache in such a case can develop gradually and disappear on its own. When ear pain is caused by an ear infection, however, the pain can develop suddenly and be severe.
One of the reasons it can be so difficult to tell the difference between an ear infection and a cold is that ear infections often develop in connection with a cold. You may, for example, have common cold symptoms and eventually develop earaches as well. Earache can be a minor symptom of a cold or a complication of the cold that caused the infection. One way to tell the difference, in some cases, is if the ear pain develops along with a sudden fever. Fever by itself, however, is not an accurate indication of the cause of ear pain, as fever can develop with either an underlying cold or an ear infection.
While it’s usually not possible to tell the difference between an ear infection and a cold based on a fever alone, temperature can help confirm your suspicions that you have an ear infection. Often colds are not accompanied by fever or are accompanied only by low-grade fevers. Ear infections, however, are more likely to cause higher fevers. For example, it’s common to have a fever of up to 104 degrees Fahrenheit (40 degrees Celsius) with an ear infection.
There are some symptoms that may be more likely if you have an ear infection rather than a cold. For example, you may lose your appetite or have trouble sleeping when you have an ear infection. You may also have ear drainage, difficulty hearing, and irritability. An ear infection can also lead to vertigo symptoms.
Since it can be so difficult to distinguish between an ear infection and a cold, you may feel more comfortable taking a safer than sorry approach. If you have cold symptoms and a persistent, painful earache, you can visit your doctor for an examination. Your doctor will likely use a medical instrument called an otoscope to determine if you’re dealing with pain caused by a cold or an ear infection.
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