Verified answer

Well, it's suggested for you to keep it in for 6 to 12 months and you shouldn't take it out, it will cause you some complications and may increase the months of healing, let alone that the bacteria it will let in.

On the time that it will close up will depend on your body, it can take 10 minutes for some and hours for another, it will all vary on the condition of what your ear is in.

Now are you sure it's infected? If it's a natural red and bleeds now and then, it may just be because it's irritated by whatever comes in contact with it, though if it is infected I still suggest against it until you ask your local piercer on what to do, since if you do take it when your not suppose to, it may cause a abscess to happen.

My suggestion is to try and clean it with the earring in, yet don't over clean it, as I said it can get irritated by little things sometimes.

I hope this helps you, don't worry about it, if you need more advice I'm sure any local piercing will be willing to help you out :)