What causes ear pain with drainage down the throat?

Question

Hi doctor,

I have a deep ear pain on and off for months with a feeling of drainage going down my throat. Before few years, I had a eustachian tube dysfunction with pain, pressure, and hearing loss. I have them on and off for the past few years. Right now, I have a low-grade fever for the past six days. I have lost some weight after having this ear pain. I do not know what is going on with me. Please help me.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

You seem to have a low-grade otitis externa. You can take Clotrimazole 1% drops. Use it twice a day for seven days. If you are unable to pop your ears, then you do not have a eustachian tube dysfunction. But if you are able to pop your ears, then you can start using a nasal spray twice a day for few months. You can also have sinusitis causing drainage. It is good to visit an ENT (ear, nose, and throat) specialist. If you have a poor sense of smell and fatigue with low-grade fever, then you can have COVID-19 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2). If the symptoms get worse, then it is necessary to consult your near-by doctor soon. In the meantime, you can follow social distancing.