Suddenly feeling that everything is spinning, struggling to stand up straight and feeling sick after a cold or flu may be labyrinthitis or vestibular neuritis. The UK National Health Service (NHS) says both are inner ear infections that affect balance and usually get better within a few weeks. Labyrinthitis inflames the fluid-filled channels of the inner ear (the labyrinth); vestibular neuritis inflames the nerve that sends balance signals to the brain (the vestibular nerve). Hearing loss points to labyrinthitis, because only the labyrinth affects hearing. Balance usually comes back within 2 to 6 weeks, and medicines a GP gives for dizziness or sickness are taken for no more than 3 days. Below is the NHS page set out as written; the Korean care notes are ours.
1. Spinning dizziness (vertigo), unsteadiness, feeling or being sick — with hearing loss or tinnitus, it’s labyrinthitis.
2. Balance usually returns within 2 to 6 weeks — dizziness and sickness medicines for up to 3 days only; longer can slow recovery.
3. Sudden hearing loss in one ear: urgent GP appointment or 111.
Symptoms — NHS
| Type | What the NHS says | Worth noting (ours) |
|---|---|---|
| Dizziness | Dizziness or a spinning sensation (vertigo) | — |
| Balance | Feeling unsteady; struggling to stand or walk straight | — |
| Stomach | Feeling or being sick | — |
| Ears | Hearing loss and tinnitus — labyrinthitis only | Tinnitus itself is a separate page |
| Onset | Can start suddenly, may be there when you wake up and can get worse during the day; often eases after a few days | — |
Hearing sounds in the ear is covered in tinnitus.
Labyrinthitis vs vestibular neuritis — NHS
| Type | Labyrinthitis | Vestibular neuritis |
|---|---|---|
| Inflamed part | The fluid-filled channels of the inner ear (labyrinth) | The nerve carrying balance signals (vestibular nerve) |
| Hearing | Can be lost, with tinnitus | Not affected, on our reading, as only the labyrinth affects hearing |
| Cause | Usually a viral infection such as a cold or flu | The same |
| Recovery | Balance usually 2 to 6 weeks | The same |
2 to 6 weeks is 14 to 42 days (our sum). The NHS says it can take longer, and long-term balance problems can last months or years.
When you’re dizzy — NHS
| Type | What the NHS says | Worth noting (ours) |
|---|---|---|
| Very dizzy | Lie still in a dark room | — |
| Being sick | Drink small amounts often | To avoid dehydration (ours) |
| Triggers | Avoid noise and bright lights | — |
| Sleep | Get enough sleep | — |
| Walking | Start walking outdoors as soon as you can, ideally with someone nearby | — |
| Eyes | Fix your eyes on something that isn’t moving as you move about | — |
Don’t — NHS
| Type | What the NHS says | Worth noting (ours) |
|---|---|---|
| Driving, cycling | Don’t drive or cycle while dizzy | — |
| Tools, machines | Don’t use tools or machinery while dizzy | — |
| Alcohol | Don’t drink — it can make symptoms worse | — |
When to get help — NHS
| If | Where | Worth noting (ours) |
|---|---|---|
| Not better after a few days, or getting worse | GP | A GP may refer you to a hospital specialist |
| Not better within a week of starting treatment for a diagnosed condition | GP | — |
| Sudden hearing loss in one ear | Urgent GP appointment or 111 | In Korea, an ENT clinic the same day (ours) |
The page gives no separate 999 or A&E criteria. Other causes of dizziness are in dizziness.
Treatment — NHS
Because it’s usually caused by a virus such as a cold or flu, antibiotics usually won’t help; a GP may prescribe them if a bacterial infection is suspected. A GP may give antihistamines, motion sickness tablets or anti-sickness medicine for up to 3 days. The NHS says taking them for longer than 3 days can slow your recovery.
For long-term balance problems, vestibular rehabilitation exercises can help with dizziness, sickness and related anxiety. They’re done under a specialist such as a physiotherapist or audiologist; you can ask a GP to refer you or refer yourself, says the NHS.
Checklist
- ☐ Very dizzy: lie in a dark room; being sick: small sips often
- ☐ No driving, cycling, machinery or alcohol while dizzy
- ☐ Dizziness medicines for 3 days at most
- ☐ Not better in a few days: GP; sudden one-sided hearing loss: urgent
- ☐ Balance usually 2 to 6 weeks — vestibular rehabilitation if it lasts
Questions that remain
Is all dizziness labyrinthitis?
No. Dizziness has many causes; the NHS table by cause is in our dizziness page.
Will antibiotics speed things up?
The NHS says it’s usually viral, so antibiotics usually won’t help; they may be given only if a bacterial infection is suspected.
When can I drive again?
The page only says don’t drive while dizzy; it gives no time limit.
Sources
- NHS — Labyrinthitis and vestibular neuritis — source (page shows: reviewed 6 August 2026, next review due 6 August 2029; checked 26 October 2026). The difference between the two, symptoms, duration, do’s and don’ts, GP and urgent criteria, treatment, vestibular rehabilitation.
- Not read. Korean dizziness guidance; other inner ear conditions such as Ménière’s disease.
- What we added. The “worth noting” column and the Korean care gloss.
Where to check further
- An ENT clinic — if not better after a few days or if hearing drops.
Written on 26 October 2026. The content is from the NHS; the glosses are ours.
