I am writing you from under water.

Well, at least that’s what it feels like.

On my left side anyways.

Another way of saying it: To all of you who’ve been lying awake at night wondering if adults can get ear infections?

Wonder no more.

They can.

Here’s how I found out.

Justus had a miserable five day streak last week. He was the fever over-achiever, with temps between 102 and 103. I got a sun tan just lying next to the kid.

The other thing I got, lying next to him?
His fever.
And his congestion.
And…here’s the surprise: the corresponding ear infection.

I discovered the ear infection through my normal powers of observation, which is to say I had no idea I was having ear problems until I was laying on the bathroom floor being crippled by it.

I tried leaning to both sides. Holding my hand over my ear. Drinking water.

(You know, all the normal things you do to try to shake an infection.)

Nothing.

But then after a few minutes–maybe twenty?–of contemplating taking a joy ride over to Urgent Care, the ear ache disappeared as suddenly as it had arisen.

My first reaction? Ha.

Control.

Ear infection, schmear infection. You got no power here.

It was when some red ooze started trickling out of my ear that I realized the sudden change of ear pressure might not be a good thing.

Long story short: ear drum ruptured.

Its not the biggest deal, I find out, after the fact. Just another thing to protect from infection.

Add that antibiotic to my list.

Now, I feel like a well trained dog, getting held down while 4 little antibiotic ear-drops are plopped into my ear.

But, yes, that makes it official. Check that curiosity off your list.

Adults get ear infections.

And when one of your eardrums ruptures?

It feels like you are doing everything with half your head underwater.

I’m basically snorkeling everywhere I go.

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