Hello dear, After going through your history, I believe you have some genuine concern and I will try to help you out of this situation. In the speciality of ENT, ear-nose-throat are grouped and studied separately as these 3 organs are interconnected and if one of the organ is affected, it impacts the other two. if you visit the following link, you will understand that their is a tube called Eustachian tube that connects the space behind the ear drum to nose. The function of this tube is to drain fluid from ear ( Which is secreted in small amount continuously in a normal situation) and to allow air from nose to ear for ventilation. The lining epithelium of the Eustachian tube and that of nose is similar. When nose is affected with any condition like common cold or other infections, the epithelium swells and so the epithelium if the Eustachian tube leading to blockage of tube.Now the fluid behind the drum keep on depositing and get infected which can lead to perforation of ear drum if not treated properly. http://image.slidesharecdn.com/grossanatomyoftheear-140210053847-phpapp02/95/gross-anatomy-of-the-ear-4-638.jpg?cb=1392010775 In my clinic when I get a patient like you, I give medication to control the infection. Once the symptom subsides, I advise the patient to have steroid nose spray ( Fluticasone with azelastin) for atleast for 3 month ( 2 puff once a day). With that I strictly advise them to visit me if any symptom of common cold/ flu appears. The main motive behind it to keep the nose healthy so that the ear will remain healthy. Of course if there is re-perforation, then re-patching of the drum is strictly advised. I hope I could solve your query. Please do not hesitate to clarify more doubts for the same situation. Thank you for the way you are in my life. Dr Ipsit Panda