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Ruptured eardrum

Horatio555 posted:

I have a question. A few days ago my brother and myself caught a bug or a flue. My brother had the excact same symptoms that I had but I was just a few hours behind him. My main question is 1 day after the cold/flue symptoms started and after my fever and cold sweats where almost done. On the second night I woke up and had some pressure in my ear. I learned that later that day that my brothers eardrum had burst the night before. Throughout the day the pressure got worse and hurt a lot. Finally latter that day my eardrum burst as well.

I found it weird that it only took about 2 days for the pressure to build up enough to burst our ear drums. Is this normal?

Thanks

3 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:Ruptured eardrumI have a question. A few days ago my brother and myself caught a bug or a flue. My brother had the excact same symptoms that I had but I was just a few hours behind him. My main question is 1 day after the cold/flue symptoms started and after my fever and cold sweats where almost done. On the second night I woke up and had some pressure in my ear. I learned that later that day that my brothers eardrum had burst the night before. Throughout the day the pressure got worse and hurt a lot. Finally latter that day my eardrum burst as well. I found it weird that it only took about 2 days for the pressure to build up enough to burst our ear drums. Is this normal? Thanks

Rod Moser, PA, PhD responded:

I think it is unusual for a brother and sister to end up with the same outcome from a respiratory infection.. Most people tend to have different responses, but I guess you and your brother are very genetically close.

If a respiratory infection causes pressure in the middle ear, there is always a possibility for the eardrum to spontaneously rupture...in a half-a day, one day, two days...or even a week later. A ruptured eardrum is really nature's way of dealing with a middle ear infection. Fortunately, the vast majority will heal without a problem.

Report This| Share this:Ruptured eardrumI think it is unusual for a brother and sister to end up with the same outcome from a respiratory infection.. Most people tend to have different responses, but I guess you and your brother are very genetically close. If a respiratory infection causes pressure in the middle ear, there is always a possibility for the eardrum to spontaneously rupture...in a half-a day, one day, two days...or even a week later. A ruptured eardrum is really nature's way of dealing with a middle ear infection. Fortunately, the vast majority will heal without a problem.

Horatio555 replied to Rod Moser, PA, PhD's response:

Thank you for answering my question. I was just surprised that an eardrum rupture could happen so quickly.

I am also worried now because I felt like I was on the road to recovery but I feel fluid building up in my other ear now. I am afraid that it is going to burst as well.

Report This| Share this:Ruptured eardrumThank you for answering my question. I was just surprised that an eardrum rupture could happen so quickly. I am also worried now because I felt like I was on the road to recovery but I feel fluid building up in my other ear now. I am afraid that it is going to burst as well.

Rod Moser, PA, PhD replied to Horatio555's response:

Sometimes, the FIRST sign of an ear infection is a ruptured eardrum. I hope you and your sister are feeling better now.

Report This| Share this:Ruptured eardrumSometimes, the FIRST sign of an ear infection is a ruptured eardrum. I hope you and your sister are feeling better now.

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