How long can viral infections last?

After having blood tests I have been diagnosed with a viral inner ear infection. I have had it for the last 4 weeks and the doctors tell me that it is just a case of waiting for it to get better as there are no meds that will do anything. How long can viruses last for?

Just to confirm - I have been going to the doctors for the past 4 weeks and they are adamant it is a virus. They say that a virus can last as long as it takes your immune system to fight it off. Is this correct?

Most viral infections will shift along after about two weeks, but some of the types that cause inner ear infections can hang in there for quite some time. Unfortunately viral labrynthitis can take a month or more sometimes to clear on it's own. In the meantime, there really aren't any good ways to treat it. All the doctor can really do is prescribe medications to help you not become nauseated from the conflicting messages from your ears and eyes, or to combat the dizziness it can cause. I've had it myself, and it was just over a month before I felt better myself. Oddly enough, I just woke up one morning feeling vastly better- as if somebody had flipped a switch. The ENT told me that's not unusual to have happen either- it will just suddenly disappear nearly as quickly as it came on. In the meantime you just treat the symptoms to make yourself comfortable, and rest so your body can fight it off. There just isn't any other cure.

Depending on the type of virus most viral infections last a week tops. If yours has been going on for a month or longer I would see your doctor again or see a different doctor!
Hope you feel better.
:-)

Depends on what virus it is. Remember AIDS is caused by a virus & we all know how long it lasts.

4 weeks is along time already & I hope you are OK right now. I had several viral infections already & they lasted 5 days at the most.

To help improve time it takes for you to get rid of it, get lots of rest & sleep early. Drink lots of fluid.

Infections inside the ear should be taken seriously as it is close to the brain. If infection spreads to the brain, then it can cause far more serious complications. I am surprised your doctor has not done anything about it even after 4 weeks.

If that were my doctor he would have had me confined in a hospital & given a drip (dextrose). A drip speeds up cleansing of the system of viruses & toxins & speeds up recovery.