{"id":2329,"date":"2022-12-15T02:02:05","date_gmt":"2022-12-15T07:02:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.spartanburgent.com\/?p=2329"},"modified":"2022-12-15T02:02:06","modified_gmt":"2022-12-15T07:02:06","slug":"should-i-fly-with-an-ear-infection","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.spartanburgent.com\/should-i-fly-with-an-ear-infection\/","title":{"rendered":"Should I Fly With an Ear Infection?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Many people feel pressure or a blockage in their ears when they fly, especially during takeoff and landing. While this is usually nothing more than a minor inconvenience that resolves fairly quickly, it becomes a much riskier endeavor if you or your child is flying with an ear infection.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before you head out to catch your next flight at Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport, here are a few things you should know about keeping your ears safe while flying with an ear infection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Flying Affects Your Ears <\/h2>\n\n\n
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Our ears react to the change in pressure that occurs when flying due to being at different altitudes. When cabin pressure changes, the Eustachian tube in our ear equalizes the pressure in the middle ear by opening up to let air in or out. This is why when you swallow or yawn, your ears can pop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Experiencing symptoms due to a change in air pressure when flying is quite common. It\u2019s estimated that 10% of adults and 22% of children might have changes to their eardrum after a flight. <\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Risk of Flying with an Ear Infection<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When you have an ear infection, your Eustachian tube is more likely to be blocked from excess fluid. This makes it more difficult for your ears to equalize pressure. The pressure continues to build and can cause significant pain, and in certain cases, can even cause the eardrum to rupture.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This may be more likely to happen in children with children as their Eustachian tubes are smaller and more likely to have problems equalizing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What To Do<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Ideally, you shouldn\u2019t fly if you or your child has an ear infection. If you can reschedule your trip for a time when you are better, it\u2019s recommended that you do so. However, if that\u2019s not possible, there are some steps you can take to protect your ears when you have an infection. These include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n