Hello, Ear infections usually occur in your middle ear. They can be either bacterial or viral or fungal. The infection is most often painful due to inflammation and buildup. An ear infection can cause drainage and you might notice a bad smell. It is essential to make an accurate diagnosis of the ear infection to avoid overtreatment with inappropriate antibiotic therapy. Otoscopic exam and clinical presentation are important in making the correct diagnosis. In the adult, an upper respiratory tract infection or exacerbation of seasonal allergic rhinitis often precedes the onset of acute otitis media (middle ear infection). In adult is typically unilateral and is associated with ear pain and decreased or muffled hearing. The pain may be mild, moderate, or severe. If the tympanic membrane (ear drum) has ruptured, you may report a sudden relief of pain, possibly accompanied by purulent otorrhea (ear discharge with bad smell). The treatment our doctor needs to make sure that your ear infection is from bacteria that it will be responding to an antibiotic. Make sure that your diagnosis is right. If your tympanic membrane rupture in acute otitis media, the topical antibiotic (ear drop), we choose one without any known ototoxicity (inner ear toxic), and we treat for 7 to 10 day. If you have acute otitis media oral antibiotic is the most effective. You should see a specialist if you have a recurrent infection, persistent hearing loss, chronic tympanic membrane perforation. You should go back to your doctor for further evaluation to find the real cause and get the treatment accurate. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. Regards, Dr. Heang Chan Raksmey, General & Family Physician