Causes And Risk Factors For Bullous Myringitis

Presence Of The Flu

The presence of the flu can significantly increase an individual's risk of contracting an ear infection such as bullous myringitis. As with colds, the flu may also prevent proper drainage from the Eustachian tubes, and infected fluid from the respiratory tract of patients with this illness then accumulates in the ear. Symptoms of colds and the flu can overlap, and some patients with the flu will experience headaches, cough, a runny nose, and a fever. However, flu symptoms are generally more severe and have a quicker onset, which may pose a greater risk of ear infection. Patients with the flu are likely to have fatigue, and they will also typically present with chills, sweating, a sore throat, and aching muscles. While flu symptoms generally subside after a week, the fatigue may linger for two to three weeks. 

There is no vaccine for colds, but the flu vaccine can provide protection against this virus and reduce the severity of symptoms in patients who do contract it. New flu vaccines are formulated each year based on which strain appears to be the most prevalent, and the flu vaccine needs to be given annually. To reduce the risk of the flu, it is often recommended that patients wash their hands regularly and dispose of any used tissues promptly. If a patient does contract the flu, they should stay home for approximately five to seven days to avoid spreading this illness to others.