Some infections like tonsillitis require diagnosis and treatment by your healthcare provider.
Rarely, symptoms may be related to cancer or another serious concern.
Illustration by Nez Riaz for Verywell Health
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Illustration by Nez Riaz for Verywell Health
COVID-19
COVID-19can cause a sore throat and ear pain.
Symptoms of COVID-19 are varied and can include:
Congestion from a stuffy nose can result in ear pain.
Depending on the COVID strain, different or additional symptoms are possible.
It should be started as soon as possible after symptoms begin.
If it’s not treated, the infection can lead to seriousheart complicationsand kidney problems.
Mononucleosis
Mononucleosis(mono) is an infection that is common in teens and young adults.
Mono is usually sparked by theEpstein-Barr virus.
It is often called the “kissing disease” because it is easily spread through saliva.
It may take many weeks to fully recover.
Treatment for mono includes rest, increased fluid intake, and over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers.
Sometimes, the acid goes back far enough that it irritates the back of the throat.
These symptoms also are common with a “silent reflux” variant that affects the upper airway, calledlaryngopharyngealreflux.
There are many medications available to treat acid reflux.
Some are OTC drugs and others require a prescription.
Tonsillitis
Tonsillitis triggers when the tonsils become bigger than normal and inflamed.
It can cause throat and ear pain and make swallowing difficult.
Colds, mono, and strep throat are common causes of tonsillitis.
The term “tonsillitis” applies to enlarged, inflamed tonsils regardless of what’s causing them.
Antibioticscan be used to treat strep throat because the infection is brought on by bacteria.
Cool beverages and chilled foods can help ease throat pain.
you might also use ice packs and OTC pain relievers.
They also may be used to treat an abscess or other complication.
Treatment for the infection (including antibioticsif needed) will help prevent it from spreading.
Allergies
Allergies are a commoncause of throat painand ear pain.
You canprevent allergy symptomslike sore throat and ear pain by identifying triggers and doing your best to avoid them.
Sinusitis
Sinusitisrefers to any inflammation of the system of air-filled pockets in the face (sinuses).
OTC medicines, decongestants, and nasal rinses can help alleviate symptoms.
Antibiotics are not usually needed unless the infection is brought on by bacteria.
Irritants
A sore throat that lasts longer than a week may be sparked by irritants in the air.
If you haveasthma, these irritants can also aggravate your symptoms.
This may entail:
How to Prevent Mold
Mold thrives in warm, damp places.
If your home floods, take care to clean and dry the affected spaces thoroughly.
Consider scheduling an appointment with your healthcare provider for testing to rule out allergies.
From there, they can help you narrow down a cause.
The joint is located near your ear and is what lets your mouth move when you chew and talk.
If you have TMJ pain, it might radiate to your ear.
In some cases,botoxor muscle relaxants can be prescribed to ease the symptoms of TMJ.
Could It Be Cancer?
Pain that’s not getting better could be asign of throat cancer.
Specific symptoms may be an important key to diagnosis.
It can help to diagnose or rule out the cause.
Summary
Pain in the throat and one or both ears can occur separately or simultaneously.
Infections, allergies, and disorders of the jaw are a few common causes of throat and ear pain.
For more serious conditions, surgical treatments might be necessary.
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