If you or your child has ever experienced an ear infection, you might wonder if it can spread to others. This question often arises when ear infections run through families, schools, or daycare centers. It may seem obvious as you watch one after another be diagnosed with ear infections. However, it is not that simple.

Understanding how ear infections develop helps explain why passing them on to another person may not be as simple as that. Mount Nittany Health’s Dr. Brent Driskill sheds some light on ear infections.

Types of ear infections and causes

Ear infections develop in different ways. The most common type, acute otitis media, occurs in the middle ear.

Swimmer’s ear, or otitis externa, affects the ear canal and is most common in adults. Despite its name, you don’t have to be a swimmer to get it. Swimmer’s ear develops when water, sweat, or moisture remains in the ear canal. This creates the perfect condition for bacteria to thrive. The bacteria that causes the swimmer’s ear infection can be present in swimming pools, but the infection isn’t contagious.

Viral ear infections develop when a virus is in the ear, which is very common in children. Again, you can’t catch the ear infection, but you could catch the virus that could lead to one. Understanding how ear infections develop you might be surprised to learn that ear infections don’t actually start in the ear. They typically develop due to another condition, often a cold or upper respiratory infection.

The Eustachian tube connects the middle ear to the back of the throat. It can become swollen or blocked when you have a cold or allergies. The blockage creates the perfect environment for bacteria or viruses to grow in the middle ear space.

Children are more susceptible to otitis media or middle ear infections. “Children have poorly developed Eustachian tubes,” Dr. Driskill explained. “The Eustachian tubes provide air to the enclosed middle ear space. Inflammation of the Eustachian tube prevents aeration and fluid drainage from the middle ear space. This fluid becomes infected, leading to the middle ear infection (otitis media).”

“The fluid in the middle ear will persist for 4-6 weeks after a middle ear infection,” he continued. “This is not necessarily an indication of infection. It just takes time for the body to clear it up.”

Are ear infections actually contagious?

Simply put, ear infections aren’t contagious. “The infection is contained in the middle ear space,” Dr. Driskill explained. “The bacterial or viral upper respiratory infection that leads to the otitis media is contagious, though.” This connection explains why it seems like ear infections spread through families, schools, and daycares.

If one child in a family catches a cold and their siblings catch the same cold, they may develop ear infections. This makes it seem like the ear infection spread when, in reality, it was the cold virus.

Common misconceptions about ear infections

Many people believe ear infections can be passed from person to person, but this isn’t accurate. This misconception often stems from seeing multiple ear infections occur around the same time. The underlying cause, not the ear infection itself, spreads.

Another common misconception is that all ear infections need antibiotics. However, viral ear infections, which are common, do not respond to antibiotics at all. Many ear infections clear up on their own, so often, it is recommended to wait before starting antibiotics.

Preventing ear infections

The truth is that ear infections happen and aren’t always preventable. “They may not be preventable,” Dr. Driskill explained. “Some risk factors that have been identified increase the risk of developing ear infections:”

• Genetic susceptibility, which is higher in Native Americans
• Daycare attendance
• Pacifier usage
• Lack of breastfeeding
• Secondhand smoke

While ear infections aren’t contagious, you can take steps to prevent them. Practice good hygiene to prevent the spread of colds and respiratory infections. Regular hand washing can help minimize the spread of germs.

Keep ears dry after swimming or bathing. Tilt your head to each side to help the water drain out naturally. If you swim frequently, consider using swimmer’s earplugs.

Build a strong immune system to help fight off illnesses that can lead to ear infections. Support your immune system through a healthy diet, adequate sleep, and regular exercise.

Allergies can cause the same Eustachian tube inflammation that leads to ear infections. Effective allergy management can help reduce the frequency of ear infections for those prone to them.

For children, consider these additional strategies:

• Avoid exposure to secondhand smoke
• Breastfeed infants when possible to provide immune support
• Keep vaccinations up-to-date
• Position the bottle properly during feeding to prevent fluid from backing up into the Eustachian tubes

The best way to prevent ear infections is to avoid the conditions that lead to them. If ear infections become frequent or cause severe symptoms, it may be time to see your healthcare provider. Mount Nittany Health’s ENT specialists can help determine the underlying cause and recommend the most effective treatment. Schedule an appointment with one of Mount Nittany Health’s ENT specialists for expert care of ear infections and other ENT conditions.