Fever as an accompanying symptom
Fever as a side effect of an inflammation of the middle ear is not an illness in itself. It is a sign that the body reacts to foreign pathogens and tries to kill them. The high temperatures mean that the body’s defenses function better and that the viruses and bacteria cannot multiply well.
Fever is therefore an important measure of the body to counteract inflammation. On the other hand, it can also be dangerous if the temperatures rise too much. Then fever-reducing measures must be taken. An elevated body temperature is referred to as a fever from 37.5 degrees Celsius, a fever from 38.5 degrees Celsius and a high fever from 39 degrees Celsius. However, high temperatures of 38 to 39 degrees are not uncommon in children.
What to do?
Heat (for example, from a red light lamp) and onion sacs can relieve the pain and are perceived by the child as pleasant. You can easily make an onion sack yourself: You have to chop an onion into small pieces and wrap it in a cloth (a handkerchief is also sufficient). You only have to fasten this bag to the head with a scarf, a cap or something similar.
If the nose is also blocked, it can help to loosen the mucus and clear the airways. This can also improve ventilation of the middle ear. Nose drops or camomile baths can help here.
Ear drops often do not reach the middle ear at all and are therefore less useful. If the child has a fever, it is important that he or she is given plenty to drink, especially to compensate for the loss of fluid due to sweating, so that the body does not dry out. Feverish children are often without appetite and weakened, so they should be offered especially easily digestible food. Even if the child does not seem so weakened, it should be protected and stay in bed if possible. If the child has a high fever, the temperatures should be checked as regularly as possible and also written down, because this could help the doctor.
