Am I being overly sensitive or was this doctor unhelpful?
31f, caucasian. Currently on wellbutrin and lexapro for depression, and dayquil to try and help the symptoms I’ve been having. History of frequent ear infections and tubes in my ears as a kid. Non smoker, social drinker.
Starting 3 days ago I got a sore throat which then turned into severe congestion, sinus pain around the cheeks, a painful cough, and both of my ears are plugged up, everything sounds like it’s underwater and my ears hurt. I can hardly hear. I am miserable. I was also around someone who recently tested positive for influenza a.
Went to urgent care today. Doctor looked at my ears and shrugged and said, “your ears look infected but if you have frequent ear infections how am I supposed to tell if they’re currently infected?” She also shrugged off all my other symptoms and said I’ll probably “feel better soon.” I mentioned being around someone with influenza a and she said confidentally, “you don’t have that.”
I basically left without any answers and felt like she was in a rush and shrugged me off. Am I being too sensitive? Do those symptoms sound like the flu or ear infection? I thought I knew my body well but apparently not…
Posted Dec 29, 2025, 2:59 AM UTC