Temperature in a child with otitis media

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Why does temperature occur with otitis media?

Temperature during otitis is nothing more than a protective reaction of the body to the presence of pathogenic microorganisms, allowing to reduce the rate of their reproduction.

Causes

Otitis in children most often occurs in an acute form and affects the middle ear.

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This is due to the high probability of infection penetrating from the nasopharynx into the middle cavity through the too wide and short passage of the Eustachian tube. A common symptom indicating the presence of infection is a high temperature with otitis media, which can last for several days.

So what are the reasons for its occurrence?

Pathogens

Viruses or bacteria during their metabolism release primary pyrogens - special substances, endotoxins, that can penetrate the blood. When endotoxins enter the bloodstream, the immune system responds, in which a large number of leukocytes or neutrophils are formed in the blood. Immune cells begin to fight endotoxins and, neutralizing them, decompose into secondary pyrogens - signal mediators in the central nervous system.

Pyrogenic

Secondary pyrogens penetrating into the hypothalamus are read by the thermoregulation center as a decrease in the temperature of the bloodstream, and the body reacts to this by increasing body temperature by several degrees, thereby slowing down the development of the infection or reducing its resistance to medications aimed at its destruction.

Immunity

The child’s immune system is immature, so there are often failures in the protective reaction aimed at neutralizing the high concentration of endotoxins released by the infection into the blood. Therefore, the primary reaction to the inflammatory process, including otitis, may be the child’s weakness, drowsiness and thirst caused by intoxication.

At the same time, a delayed immune response can cause a rapid increase in body temperature. In children under three years of age, it can take less than an hour from a state of lethargy and drowsiness to the temperature rising to critical levels, so for infectious diseases in the development stage, the temperature should be measured every 30 minutes, especially at night.

When to shoot down

Many parents, with a reading on the thermometer of 37.5, try to bring down the “high” temperature, not realizing that by doing so they are delaying the child’s recovery process for several days. And all because heat does not contribute to the proliferation of viral infections and inhibits bacterial activity. When the temperature is artificially reduced to normal levels, the infection activity resumes.

Up to 39°C

However, an elevated temperature in itself is not dangerous for a child up to a certain point of 38.5 - 39 degrees. Without reaching these numbers, heat stimulates the production of interferon, activates all body functions, promotes increased blood circulation, which can help relieve swelling in inflamed areas. But for such active activity of the body, an increased concentration of oxygen in the blood is necessary, which is difficult with insufficient ventilation of the lungs due to the outflow of the bloodstream. If a child's fever lasts more than 5 days, pneumonia may occur as a complication.

Convulsions

Another danger that fever can pose is febrile convulsions, caused by the predominance of excitation processes over inhibition, which causes pathological impulses to arise in the brain. This complication occurs most often in children under 6 years of age. In case of a single episode of convulsions in a child, in subsequent cases of fever, it should be brought down at around 37 degrees, without waiting for complications.

How much should the mercury column show on the thermometer for the child’s condition to cause concern? This depends on the baby’s age, predisposition to seizures, the presence of neurological diseases, as well as heart defects or a tendency to pulmonary diseases.

How to shoot down correctly

Fever caused by inflammation in the middle or inner ear is often accompanied by fever. In order to properly lower the temperature, you should keep the child cool in the room by dressing him in dry, cool clothes. It is also not worth wrapping up the baby, even if he feels chills; if the child’s feet and hands are cold, he should wear warm socks.

Ibuprofen paracetamol

Then you should give an antipyretic drug based on ibuprofen or paracetamol. If the initial dose of paracetamol does not work, you can give the child ibuprofen, but do not increase the dosage. The dosage and form of the medicine (syrup, suppositories or tablets) depends on how old the child is. In extreme cases, the medical staff can take urgent measures to reduce the temperature - an injection of analgin with diphenhydramine, which is used only if the readings on the thermometer are above 40 degrees or there is a risk of seizures.

Aspirin

Using aspirin against fever in children under 12 years of age is unacceptable and can lead to brain swelling! Another method of treatment for fever in a child may be rubbing. However, the temperature of the liquid for wiping should not be lower than 36 degrees, since too cold water will lead to a shock reaction in the body, and will only cause the fever to intensify. It is not recommended to use any thermal procedures at a fever, such as warming the ear, heat compresses, inhalations, or bathing a child.

Source: http://nasmorklechit.ru/otity/temperatura-pri-otite-u-rebenka.html

How long does the temperature last during otitis and is it necessary to bring it down?

Otitis media is an acute or chronic ear disease that can occur for a variety of reasons. Temperature during otitis media is a fairly common manifestation of this disease, which indicates an inflammatory process in the body. Let's consider how many days the temperature lasts, and whether it needs to be brought down.

Why does fever occur with otitis media?

Body temperature is a special physiological indicator that is determined by metabolic processes in the body. As these processes accelerate, the temperature increases.

The human brain has a section called the hypothalamus. He constantly receives information about the composition and general condition of the blood. If something is wrong in the body (there is an inflammatory process as in otitis media), then the hypothalamus, with the help of the thyroid gland and pituitary gland, sharply increases body temperature. This is a kind of protective reaction in the body, which has the following goals:

  • Suppression of the activity of pathogenic bacteria and microorganisms that have entered the patient’s body;
  • Stimulates the production of interferon in the body, which can prevent the synthesis of the virus.

In other words, when the body experiences inflammation, it uses all its strength to fight the disease. One of these “resources” is high temperature. For this reason, it cannot be called a “bad” symptom. Rather, on the contrary, it is a sign that the body is reacting to inflammation.

Temperature with otitis media in a child

Temperature during otitis in a child can have different manifestations, since children do not yet have a developed function for body thermoregulation. For this reason, temperature fluctuations in babies can be very different (up to 40 degrees) and do not subside for several days.

Another factor that affects high fever in children is that babies do not yet have a very long Eustachian tube in their ears, so when inflammation begins, microbes from the throat and nose can penetrate into the child’s middle ear much faster. For this reason, otitis in children always takes longer and is more difficult than in adults.

How many days does the temperature last?

Many people do not know exactly how many days the temperature lasts and start taking medications ahead of time. It is not right.

The temperature during acute otitis media will be maintained until the body suppresses all pathogenic microorganisms and mobilizes all protective functions. This takes on average from 3 to 7 days. When the hypothalamus receives a signal that “the danger has already passed,” it will give a command to lower the temperature.

For acute otitis in children and adults, doctors recommend lowering the temperature only when its readings are above 39 degrees.

In children with heart disease and other dangerous pathologies, the temperature drops to 38 degrees. Moreover, antibiotics must be taken along with antipyretic medications.

Otitis without fever - can this happen?

Most often, otitis media without fever is observed due to damage to the skin of the ear canal, and not due to infection. A wound may form in the damaged area, which will lead to a feeling of pain and burning in the ear. If microbes get there, the infection will lead to the formation of an abscess and even greater pain.

In most cases, ear inflammation without hyperthermia occurs in adults for the following reasons:

  • Active ear cleaning, which injures the auricle;
  • Liquids getting into the ear (not only water, but also ear drops, etc.);
  • Accidental damage to the ear (with a pen, for example).

It is important to know that if otitis media is not accompanied by elevated body temperature, then its treatment can be carried out without taking antibiotics and other medications. Usually, in this case, the body copes with the disease on its own.

However, if the pain in the ear becomes pronounced and purulent discharge is added to this, then the patient is recommended to consult a specialist as soon as possible and undergo an examination.

This is especially true for ear pain in children, who cannot really explain the location and nature of the pain. This is the only way to protect the patient from undesirable consequences and the development of complications from otitis media. Most likely, in this case, the doctor will prescribe potent antibacterial drugs.

The danger of otitis media, especially in its purulent form, is that inflammation can affect increasingly large areas of the ear canals, and pus can penetrate further and penetrate the meninges, causing its damage.

Moreover, in the absence of timely treatment, the disease can become chronic, which will further complicate the patient’s condition. For this reason, you should not let otitis media progress and, when the first ear pain appears, contact an otolaryngologist.

Source: http://gaimoritus.ru/otit/temperatura-pri-otite.html

High temperature with otitis media: treatment features for children and adults

A symptom such as fever during otitis, especially in a child, can cause serious concern. It can appear once or last for several days. Under certain conditions, this phenomenon actually poses a threat to the patient’s health and therefore it is necessary to start treatment as early as possible. Differences between treatment approaches in adults and children should be taken into account. Also of considerable importance is the specific form of otitis, the characteristics of the manifestation of the disease and the presence of associated problems. Let's talk about all these nuances in more detail.

Differences in forms of otitis media and their symptoms

The course of otitis and its treatment largely depends on the form and cause of the disease. It is these factors that determine whether a patient may have a fever with otitis media. For example, the allergic type of disease is characterized by symptoms such as snot, lacrimation, redness of the skin, but the indicator mentioned above remains within the normal range.

In other forms of otitis, fever occurs more often. This indicates that an infection has entered the body, which has triggered the inflammatory process. The following symptoms also indicate this cause:

How many days the temperature lasts for a particular form of otitis depends on the severity of the inflammatory process. In a child, high fever has more severe consequences than in an adult. Let's consider the main forms of the disease:

  • Acute otitis. It begins with severe shooting pains and high fever, often above 39 degrees. The phases do not last long and change quickly, so you need to act quickly. This is the most common type of ear disease. Acute otitis media often occurs due to hypothermia or as a complication after a cold or flu. Symptoms differ in intensity and short duration. On average they last from 3 to 7 days.
  • Purulent otitis. Very often it becomes chronic if treatment was started untimely or did not have the desired effect at an early stage. There is green snot and stuffy ears. With chronic otitis media, the temperature may generally be within normal limits. Often it increases only slightly, which indicates the development of a protracted purulent process. Pus begins to ooze from the ears, the amount of which increases sharply after the eardrum is perforated.

A symptom such as green snot indicates the activity of pathogenic microflora. A runny nose can trigger the development of otitis media if its treatment has not been effective. Together with mucus, the infection can enter the ears through the blood or Eustachian tube.

What does high temperature mean?

Based on the above, we can conclude that the high temperature observed with otitis media in a child or adult indicates the activation of pathogenic organisms. They provoke inflammation of tissues and generally have a negative effect on the body, causing disruptions in its functioning and intoxication. Trying to cope with the infection, the immune system increases body temperature.

Low-grade fever is normal during illness. This means that the body independently fights the problem. At the same time, pay attention to how many days the low-grade fever with otitis media lasts. A few days is the norm, but if it lasts about a week, it is necessary to find out the cause of this phenomenon and take appropriate measures.

If during otitis the temperature reaches 39 degrees, this is definitely an alarming signal, which means that the body’s strength is running out and it cannot cope with the infection. Reduction of high temperature should be immediate.

Low fever is often accompanied by snot. When their number decreases, either recovery or an increase in the indicators on the thermometer occurs. A symptom such as green snot accompanies ARVI and influenza. It is this color and this consistency of mucus that indicate that there is a accumulation of pathogenic microorganisms in the body. If a child produces green snot mixed with pus, this means that the treatment is ineffective. When the temperature drops, such discharge without foreign impurities may contain dead bacteria and their metabolic products.

High temperature, especially over a long period, can be a serious threat to the human body. The ongoing inflammatory process can spread to the brain, other parts of the ear, vestibular apparatus, facial nerve, etc. Complications are also possible in other systems, for example, pneumonia.

Treatment methods for children and adults

To prevent the development of negative consequences and speed up the recovery process, it is necessary to start treatment as early as possible. It is advisable to prevent the development of otitis media at all. As soon as you notice symptoms such as malaise and green mucus in yourself or your child, immediately begin treatment, as well as strengthening and stimulating the immune system.

In order for the body to have the ability to independently cope with diseases, with a slight increase in the child’s temperature, treatment should consist of supportive measures, without taking special medications. If otitis media causes severe pain, then painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs are used.

In no case should you spontaneously take strong drugs, in particular antibiotics. Only a doctor prescribes them for a child.

Many people consider antibiotics to be the main cure. In fact, this is a last resort. If you constantly use such medications for any ailment, over time the body will stop fighting germs on its own. In addition, an antibiotic can also kill beneficial microflora, which results in a long recovery process after illness and dysbacteriosis.

It is advisable to seek help from an otolaryngologist at the first suspicion of the disease. Depending on how many days the temperature has lasted at the time of treatment and what its limit is, the doctor will prescribe the necessary medications and auxiliary measures. To prevent green snot from leading to blockage of the auditory tube, vasoconstrictor drugs are used. You need to blow your nose regularly, closing one nostril at a time. If the temperature is above 39 degrees, treatment with anti-inflammatory and antipyretic tablets is prescribed.

If small children become ill, it is necessary to call an ambulance. The body under 3 years of age has differences in the perception of certain medications and procedures. In addition, it is very sensitive to abnormal fluctuations in indicators, and therefore even a slight increase in temperature can cause severe discomfort. Acute otitis media is accompanied by pain, but treating it with methods familiar to adults is strictly prohibited. If there are no indications, it is necessary to avoid the use of antibiotics. When febrile levels are reached and intoxication develops, hospitalization is required. This does not mean that the situation is very serious, but you should still play it safe.

Treatment of purulent otitis media can be supplemented with surgical methods. A simple and common procedure is paracentesis of the eardrum. Warming and ear drops are contraindicated in this case. Medicines are administered by a doctor only as needed. Heating lamps, pneumomassages and other methods of physiotherapy are also prescribed.

Self-medication can harm the patient and lead to the destruction of the body's immune defense. Fever can be both a warning sign and an indication of slow recovery. To clarify the situation, consult your doctor in advance to prevent the development of complications.

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Increased temperature in a child during otitis media

Often, young children are faced with the phenomenon of otitis, which traditionally manifests itself in the form of an inflammatory process of the ear. If there is pain, or there is noticeable discharge from the ear canal, you should immediately consult a medical specialist. There are more patients in childhood than in adults; in children under one and a half years old, the disease manifests itself most often. Let's consider how temperature manifests itself during otitis media in a child, and what to do if it is detected.

Providing first aid for fever

If all fears are confirmed, and the baby is actually diagnosed with this disease, it is necessary to contact a medical specialist. There are also several steps you need to take before contacting a doctor. It is also worth considering the question: can there be otitis media without fever? Definitely, it can.

  1. Call an ambulance before the doctor arrives; drops in the ears are not used, because only a doctor can prescribe them.
  2. Place a drop of the composition into the nasal cavity, especially if it is stuffy. Doctors recommend using any vasoconstrictor compositions for babies.
  3. If the temperature rises, it is necessary for the baby to take an antipyretic drug.
  4. Parents are required to check the ears for discharge of purulent mass, but they cannot be cleaned on their own.
  5. Give your baby plenty of warm liquid. It could be tea, fruit drink, compote.
  6. Ventilation of the room plays an important role. It is necessary that the air temperature is no more than 20 degrees.

Sometimes otitis is observed without fever in a child, in this case you should also consult a doctor and take all actions except using an antipyretic composition.

Otitis externa and fever

Otitis and temperature are phenomena that are mutually related. The inflammatory process in the outer ear cannot be considered without fever. This reaction is often observed and can become a clear sign for medication correction if the patient’s general condition worsens.

If the disease is of a limited nature, in this case a boil forms - a purulent formation. In this case, the body temperature may be subfebrile in nature.

The answer to the question, what is the temperature during otitis - it can persist up to 37.9 degrees. This symptom is much more pronounced in childhood. If there is a diffuse form of the external type, the indicators remain normal, the violation of the general condition occurs in a moderate form.

Fever in otitis media

If the temperature persists during otitis in a child, we are talking about a purulent form of the disease. As noted earlier, this syndrome plays an important role in the differential diagnosis of the disease. If a feverish state is combined with severe pain, this is a signal for the doctor to suspect that the patient has a moderate manifestation of the disease.

Considering the question of how long the temperature lasts during otitis in children, it is worth noting that the phenomenon can be observed over several daily periods. With a purulent form of the inflammatory process, the temperature can reach 40 degrees.

Temperature and complications with otitis media

So, we have looked at how many days the temperature with otitis lasts, but to consider it rationally, it is necessary to take into account the fact that competent treatment is required for its successful elimination. The concerns of parents of children suffering from otitis media are related to the fact that there is a high risk of numerous complications.

The effectiveness of antibacterial treatment can be determined by constantly monitoring the dynamics of changes in temperature parameters. A favorable prognostic symptom is the disappearance of the feverish state.

A high temperature during otitis media should alert the patient in several cases; consider the main situations:

  • the inability to eliminate it through the use of antipyretic drugs;
  • rapid increase in the background of severe pain in the head and fear of light;
  • against the background of fever, a state of nausea and vomiting develops;
  • there is pain in the abdominal area, the stool is upset;
  • A rash appears in the area of ​​the skin and mucous membranes.

Many people are concerned about the question of whether it is possible to walk with this disease; the answer is yes if there are no serious complications and the weather is good. But it is best to invite the patient to spend a little time on the balcony. One of the serious complications that requires quality treatment can be mastoiditis, which involves the process of damage to bone tissue.

With otitis media in a child, the temperature may be accompanied by additional signs - the formation of a purulent process, chills.

Tactical actions in case of fever

If the temperature during otitis reaches 0 degrees and continues to rise, it is allowed to prescribe partly independent treatment. The basis of therapy is the use of antibacterial drugs, which can have a topical or systemic effect. In the first case, treatment of the external form of the disease is implied, and the child’s temperature should be subject to urgent emergency care. This is especially true for situations in which the patient complains of general weakness and fatigue.

If purulent otitis media occurs, systemic use of antibiotics is indicated. Treatment involves the use of injectable forms of formulations.

If there is a low-grade febrile pathology, and there are no complications, and the patient’s condition is satisfactory, medications are not used to relieve the symptom. In all of the above cases, the use of antipyretic drugs is assumed. Most often, doctors prescribe the use of ibuprofen or paracetamol.

Traditionally, otitis in a child is treated through the use of various dosage forms - tablets, injection solutions, syrups. Thanks to this, parents have the right to choose a rational way and overcome the fever in a short time.

General rules of the therapeutic process

  1. The answer to the question whether it is possible to bathe the baby is negative; refrain from baths and showers. Bathing a child and washing him is strictly prohibited.
  2. It is necessary to provide the patient with sufficient fluid intake. Moreover, they should be given not only on the first day, but also further during the course of treatment.
  3. To prevent the temperature from lasting for a long time, there is a certain bed rest and restrictions in terms of physical activity.
  4. There may be a temperature that can last a long time and not manifest additional symptomatic signs. Although usually the baby in this case suffers from drowsiness and severe pain in the head.
  5. With otitis media, an increase in temperature occurs, which must be monitored for a long time: this method allows you to effectively determine the effectiveness of using a particular drug. You need to monitor the readings throughout the day.

Thus, when the temperature rises, only urgent measures are allowed to be taken independently. In a number of other situations, medical experts recommend consulting a doctor.

Source: http://lorgid.ru/ear/deti/temperature-pri-otite-u-rebenka

Temperature during otitis: how long can it last and whether it needs to be brought down

When is temperature an indicator of normal functioning of the immune system, and in what cases is it a signal to urgently seek medical help? Can there be otitis media without fever? To get answers, you need to find out what causes hyperthermia.

Why does the temperature rise with otitis media?

Body temperature is a parameter whose main role in regulation is played by the hypothalamus. Its nuclei, formed by a specific accumulation of cells in the brain, are responsible for the thermal constancy of the body. The regulation process is carried out due to the production of transmitters (intermediary substances) that have a stimulating or suppressive effect on the structures subordinate to the hypothalamus.

Elevated body temperature during otitis is a normal physiological response of the body to the invasion of bacterial, viral and other foreign particles. The symptom indicates the activation and mobilization of one’s own immune forces aimed at destroying the source of infection.

Processes caused by hyperthermia:

  1. Suppression of the growth of infectious pathogens. Bacteria have a temperature “comfort” point required for active reproduction and development. A shift in temperature indicators can cause the death of pathogens.
  2. Production of own interferons. These substances are a group of proteins with antiviral activity.
  3. Increasing the speed of metabolic processes. An increase in body temperature promotes an intense immune response of the body to a foreign irritant, helping to quickly defeat the infection.

How many days does it last?

Hyperthermia is a signal that an active immune process has been launched in the body. As long as the temperature during otitis lasts, the fight against the infectious pathogen lasts. When the foreign stimulus is suppressed, the hypothalamus will give a signal to normalize the thermal indicator. The duration depends on individual characteristics (age, immunity strength). Usually the temperature lasts from 3 to 7 days.

If your child has a fever

Children are a special group of patients. The thermoregulatory system in a child is at a developmental stage and is unstable. The range of the temperature curve sometimes reaches a wide range against the background of a relatively mild infection. Hyperthermia up to 39° C can last up to 3-4 days without treatment.

The second feature is the possible lack of temperature response. This is caused by an imperfect immune system: the body is too weak for an adequate protective response. A rise in body temperature to 39° C does not always indicate the presence of a severe infection (the danger will lie more in hyperthermia). A child’s normal temperature does not guarantee the absence of a serious illness. Children with otitis media of any form need to be examined by a pediatrician. Read more about otitis media in children→

When should the temperature be lowered?

Not all cases of hyperthermia require the use of an antipyretic. The prescription of therapy depends on how many days the elevated temperature during otitis lasts, and what numbers its indicators reach. It is worth considering the presence of serious somatic diseases in the patient (cardiovascular, neurological pathology). The general recommendation for adults is the use of antipyretic drugs when the temperature reaches 38.5° C. If your health suffers significantly, or there are concomitant diseases, it is permissible to use the medicine after the mark of 38.0° C.

It is believed that temperatures below 38.5° C in children do not require the use of drugs. This applies to initially healthy patients who do not suffer from febrile seizures. Weakened children should be given antipyretic drugs after crossing the threshold of 38° C. Due to the peculiarities of thermoregulation, a child under 2 months of age and children suffering from febrile convulsions should lower their temperature earlier. Caution should be exercised in treating children: a persistent increase in body temperature to high levels is grounds for calling an emergency medical team.

How to do this correctly?

Elimination of hyperthermia is not limited to the prescription of antipyretics. Temperature during otitis in children and adults requires an integrated approach to therapy.

  1. Drink plenty of fluids. Drinking teas and fruit drinks helps to cope with intoxication of the body and reduce body temperature by increasing sweating.
  2. Use of external treatment methods. It is effective to apply cool heating pads to areas of passage of large vascular networks (elbow creases, popliteal fossae). Rubbing with diluted alcohol or vodka is acceptable. After treating the skin, you should wait for it to dry completely, then cover yourself with a blanket.
  3. Elimination of warming up. During hyperthermia, heat compresses are contraindicated.
  4. Strict adherence to prescription regimens. Abuse of antipyretics can be harmful: excessive amounts of NSAIDs suppress one’s own immunity and cause a number of side effects.

In what cases does temperature indicate complications?

Several signs will indicate the occurrence of adverse consequences. You should pay attention to how the temperature changes during otitis (to what numbers it rises, how many days it lasts), whether new symptoms have appeared.

  • Hyperthermia does not disappear after 7 days of intensive treatment.
  • The temperature reaches high numbers and does not go down.
  • The main complaints have increased.

Treatment for fever

To eliminate hyperthermia, NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) are used.

Taking NSAIDs leads to suppression of symptoms rather than elimination of the underlying pathology. For example, a purulent form of the disease requires the prescription of antibiotics that can overcome the source of infection. To reduce inflammatory edema and improve the patency of the Eustachian tubes, vasoconstrictor nasal drops are prescribed. Forms of medications, active ingredients, dosage are determined by an otolaryngologist.

The type of treatment depends on how severe and how long the elevated temperature during otitis media lasts. In some cases, normalization requires the release of accumulated pus through a gap in the ear membrane. More often this happens without outside intervention. If perforation does not occur, the pressure on the membrane increases; tympanocentesis (puncture of the ear membrane) is used under local anesthesia.

Can otitis media occur without fever?

Normal body temperature will be observed against the background of uncomplicated external otitis. The immune system manages to localize the site of inflammation and suppress its activity. An increase in temperature will be observed exclusively in the affected area.

The situation is different with middle ear infection: hyperthermia is systemic in nature due to the peculiarities of the blood supply to the specified anatomical region. If otitis media occurs without fever, it is usually possible to avoid prescribing antibacterial drugs. Treatment is based on watchful waiting with symptomatic therapy.

Fever is a symptom that requires careful attention, not panic. An increase in body temperature serves as a signal that the body's defenses are in an active state. You should not interfere with the functioning of the immune system when the thermometer reading barely exceeds 37.0° C. The key to successful treatment is the competent use of anti-inflammatory drugs and following the basic therapy regimen prescribed by the doctor.

Source: http://moylor.ru/uho/otit/temperatura-pri-otite/

What does elevated temperature mean with otitis media in a child?

Otitis is a disease that affects the outer, middle and inner ears and is most often accompanied by fever.

The cause of the disease is pneumococci, adenoviruses, influenza viruses and Haemophilus influenzae. Spreading infections of the nasopharynx and respiratory system lead to an increase in temperature during otitis in a child and an adult.

In addition, inflammatory processes can be caused by cleaning the ear or teething.

Due to the structure of the ear and the fragile immune system of a small child, every 8th patient under 10 years of age experiences ear pain. This is due, among other things, to bottle feeding while lying down, improper nose blowing, dry indoor air and lack of regular walks.

At the same time, parents may not immediately pay attention to the symptoms of a dangerous disease and seek advice from a doctor late, since a mild form or otitis media without fever can be confused with other colds. The doctor will tell you in detail about otitis media in the video:

How long does the temperature last for otitis media in a child?

Symptoms, treatment and consequences of otitis media in childhood and adulthood are different.

The short Eustachian tube in children under two years of age allows germs to get from the nose or throat to the child’s middle ear in the shortest possible time, so pathologies and diseases of the ears are more difficult to tolerate than in adults, and are often accompanied by fever.

Parents wondering how long the temperature lasts during otitis media in children should know: sometimes the thermometer readings stay at 38-39°C for a week.

However, the fever is not dangerous and will subside immediately after the child’s body copes with the infectious processes on its own or with the help of medications.

Repeated hyperthermia and stable temperature during and after the end of the course of treatment require the attention and assistance of a doctor.

Can there be otitis media without fever?

Medical experts note that otitis media without fever in a child is often diagnosed incorrectly and untimely.

But in some cases, fever may be absent: at the beginning of the disease and with uncomplicated external otitis, when the immune system manages to suppress inflammation, as well as with otomycosis (fungal infection of the structures of the outer ear) and eczema of the ear canal.

A patient whose body temperature remains unchanged during otitis is treated with symptomatic therapy to normalize the general condition and eliminate pain. The doctor observes the patient for two days, and then, if there is no positive dynamics, prescribes a course of antibiotics for 10 days.

The absence of elevated body temperature is sometimes an indicator that the disease has become chronic, so the discovery of symptoms that raise doubts among parents is a reason to consult a doctor.

When to see a doctor

Otitis media in an infant can be confused with other colds, during which there is restlessness, redness in the throat, and body temperature rises and does not subside. But parents need to know that with otitis media, the newborn, even if the baby is a month old, turns his head and tries to turn it to the side where the inflammatory process develops.

In addition, adults should be wary of symptoms such as refusal to eat, severe runny nose, green or yellow discharge from the ear, and poor sleep.

If the listed symptoms or other changes atypical for otitis appear in the child’s body, you should immediately seek medical help.

The doctor will examine the patient, make a diagnosis, depending on how many days the temperature with otitis lasts, prescribe antipyretics and proceed to the recommended treatment.

Untimely examination by the attending physician and self-medication increase the likelihood of hearing impairment, paresis of the facial nerve, the development of meningitis, acute mastoiditis and the acquisition of chronic otitis media.

Are antibiotics needed?

Otitis media and fever are inseparable in most cases. Treatment of the disease with antibiotics is recommended for patients with moderate and severe forms of otitis and in cases where the body temperature exceeds 38 ° C for several days.

In addition, antibiotics are indicated for children under two years of age if there is pus in the ear, a bacterial infection, and a decrease in the body's protective functions.

For the effectiveness of treatment, doctors recommend conducting a sensitivity test, and then using medications only as prescribed by a specialist for at least 10 days.

At the same time, to reduce the temperature in mild cases of the disease, drugs from the penicillin family should be taken, and to treat acute forms of otitis, cephalosporins and macrolides should be used. Ear drops containing antibiotics (Sofradex or Dioxidin) are recommended to be used only during exacerbations, warm and with a bandage. Before using the drop, the auricle is treated with a 3% solution of hydrogen peroxide.

In the absence of fever and the presence of moderate ear pain, antimicrobial agents will only do harm, since the drugs have an immunosuppressive effect on the growing organism.

Treatment of the disease in patients over two years of age is carried out using an alcohol compress, painkillers (Panadol or Nurofen) and children's vasoconstrictor nasal drops (Nazol baby, Nazivin, Tizin, Otrivin, Sanorin, Xilen, Naphthyzin solution). The listed drugs are not recommended for use for more than 5 days, as they cause persistent drug addiction.

Is it worth lowering the temperature and how?

The child’s body is able to fight the infection on its own, so in 80% of cases the body temperature during otitis media subsides without the use of medications, and then the disease ceases to be so dangerous. On average, catarrhal otitis media disappears within 1 week, and purulent otitis media – after 2 weeks.

If the condition is satisfactory and the temperature is not high, the use of antipyretics is not recommended for several reasons:

  • drugs disrupt natural thermoregulation;
  • the effect of antipyretics makes it difficult to accurately assess the baby’s condition;
  • Medicines muffle the symptoms, but do not affect the cause of the disease.

However, persistent hyperthermia becomes dangerous if it persists for a week. High temperature during otitis media in newborns and children suffering from febrile convulsions and heart disease requires special attention and should be eliminated quickly with the help of auxiliary means.

To eliminate fever and relieve the child from pain, doctors prescribe medications containing ibuprofen or paracetamol in an age-appropriate dosage.

The use of medications is possible only after consultation with a specialist. Before being examined by a doctor, parents can alleviate the child’s condition using the following means:

  1. Drink plenty of fluids. Helps in the fight against intoxication of the body and in eliminating heat through sweating.
  2. External treatment methods. Apply a cool heating pad to the elbow or popliteal fossa, wipe the child with diluted alcohol or vodka, and then cover with a blanket.
  3. Warming up. This method can be used at the onset of the disease or when the condition improves. But the ear should not be allowed to warm up in the presence of purulent masses and the temperature rising above 38° C.
  4. Dry compresses, for the preparation of which a piece of cotton wool and polyethylene is used. The cotton wool is applied to the ear, covered with polyethylene and tied with a scarf. This method helps to isolate the sore spot from the surrounding environment, minimizing the possibility of damage.

Is it possible to walk with otitis media without fever?

Parents often wonder what temperature during otitis media allows them to resume walking.

Doctors recommend not going outside in windy, rainy or frosty weather to prevent complications. In addition, you should avoid crowded places, shopping centers, kindergartens, entertainment and playrooms.

In addition, walks are prohibited with the following manifestations of otitis media:

  • body temperature exceeds 37.2° C;
  • the child experiences shooting pain in the ear, congestion and hearing loss;
  • there are difficulties or discomfort when swallowing;
  • there is tinnitus, shooting pains and purulent discharge;
  • the disease is accompanied by dizziness and nausea.

If the child does not have the listed symptoms, the disease arose independently, and not as a result of an exacerbation of infectious pathology, then there is no need to refuse fresh air. However, you should reduce physical activity and avoid multiple layers of clothing to prevent excessive sweating.

Otitis media has gone away, but the temperature remains

Elevated body temperature is a sign of the body’s fight against existing inflammation. It comes in two types:

  • subfebrile, which rises to 37-37.5°C and lasts for a long time;
  • febrile – sharply reaches critical levels.

If the patient has completed the course of recommended treatment, but after otitis media the temperature remains at 37-37.5°C, then this phenomenon may indicate remaining swelling of the tubes, purulent otitis media or the development of another cold-related disease.

Parents need to contact a pediatrician who will refer the patient for blood and urine tests, conduct diagnostics and write a prescription for the use of appropriate medications.

Febrile fever for more than 5-6 days is dangerous due to complications, among which pneumonia and convulsions are especially noteworthy.

In this case, the development of pneumonia is explained by the fact that in the heat, breathing is difficult and blood circulation is reduced. And seizures are associated with brain activity during fever.

Source: http://nosuho.ru/uho/otit/temperatura-u-rebenka

Temperature with otitis media in a child

Otitis media, or inflammation of the ear canals, is a disease that often occurs in childhood. Doctors say that by the age of three, 90% of children experience this disease at least once. Otitis has a number of characteristic symptoms, one of them is fever, which is very worrying for parents of sick children. How long does the fever last for this disease and how to alleviate the child’s condition?

Temperature with otitis media in a child

Causes and symptoms of otitis media

An infectious-inflammatory process in the ear canal occurs as a complication of viral and bacterial infections of the respiratory system and nasopharynx. The causative agents of the disease are usually adenoviruses, influenza viruses, Haemophilus influenzae and pneumococci. Due to the fact that the functioning of the immune system in childhood is not very well established, otitis often accompanies diseases characterized by difficulty in nasal breathing - sore throat, sinusitis, rhinitis, laryngitis, etc.

In infants, the reason for the development of the disease lies in the special structure of the hearing organs. A small tube, called the Eustachian tube, passes close to the pharynx in infants, which allows pathogenic microorganisms to easily penetrate the ear. In addition, children under the age of one year are constantly in a horizontal position, which is why mucus flows into the Eustachian tube, causing inflammatory processes. With age, the auditory tube becomes longer, narrower and located at a greater angle to the pharynx, as a result of which mucous secretions practically do not enter the ears.

The first symptoms of otitis

Important! Otitis has a number of characteristic signs by which it is quite easy to recognize the disease: ear pain, weakness, dyspeptic symptoms (nausea, vomiting) and increased body temperature, but in general the baby’s condition depends on the form of the disease.

Table. Main forms of otitis.

Purulent otitis in a child

In addition to the above classification, otitis media is divided according to the localization of the inflammatory process, which can occur in the outer or middle ear, in acute or chronic form, etc.

On a note! The most difficult to diagnose is exudative otitis media, since it is practically asymptomatic, and children and parents practically do not pay attention to slight hearing loss and tinnitus.

Exudative otitis media in children

It also causes some difficulties in identifying the disease in infants who cannot talk about their condition. Signs of otitis media in this case include moodiness and restlessness, breast refusal, constant crying for no apparent reason and hearing loss (the child does not respond to the parents’ voices or extraneous sounds). You can diagnose the disease in infants using a simple test - just lightly press on a small protrusion (tragus) next to the baby's ear. If the child cries a lot after this, it means that this movement caused an increase in pain, which is typical for otitis media.

Why does the temperature rise with otitis media?

An increase in temperature is a natural reaction of the body to inflammatory and infectious processes in the body. The numbers on the thermometer for this disease depend on the clinical course, the state of immunity and the age of the child - infants tolerate the disease much more difficult than older children.

What to do if your child has a fever due to otitis media

Most often, a high temperature occurs with a purulent form of otitis, and the fever lasts until the pus comes out of the ear, on its own or after appropriate medical procedures. The duration of the hyperthermic stage can be from 3 to 7 days, after which the temperature drops to normal limits.

Another reason for the increase in temperature during otitis is complications of the disease that develop as a result of improper treatment. The most dangerous consequences of ear inflammation are mastoiditis (damage to the tissue of the mastoid process, accompanied by the development of osteomyelitis), meningitis and otogenic sepsis. The development of complications is characterized by the following clinical picture: the patient’s condition improves for several days, after which ear pain, fever and other manifestations of the disease reappear.

Can otitis media occur without fever?

Otitis is not always accompanied by an increase in temperature - there are several forms of the disease for which fever is not characteristic. Most often, this course of the disease is observed during an inflammatory process caused not by infectious infection, but by mechanical damage to the skin of the ear canal. A wound forms at the site of damage, causing a burning sensation and pain, which intensifies if microbes enter the wound, and an abscess forms in its place.

In addition, if ear pain occurs without hyperthermia and other general symptoms, a differential diagnosis of otitis should be made with otomycosis (damage to the structures of the hearing organs by fungal microorganisms), eczema of the ear canal. Fungal ear infections can be distinguished from inflammatory processes by the presence of itching, which is characteristic of fungal infections. There is no increase in temperature in diffuse external otitis and atypical course of the inflammatory process.

Child has ear pain

In what cases should you consult a doctor immediately?

Temperature with otitis media causes a lot of discomfort for both the baby and his parents. In any case, this symptom requires contacting a doctor, but in some situations the child needs medical attention immediately. You need to call an ambulance when the temperature is high:

  • observed in a child under six months of age;
  • is not affected by conventional antipyretic drugs;
  • accompanied by dyspeptic disorders (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea) or skin rash, severe headache, weakness.

The above signs may indicate not only otitis media, but also other dangerous diseases, so it is best to consult a doctor as soon as possible.

Diagnosis of otitis in a child

Treatment of otitis media with fever

It is recommended to lower the temperature only in cases where it exceeds 38-38.5, and in children suffering from convulsive syndrome, cardiovascular disorders or other concomitant diseases, the permissible figures are 37-37.5. If the fever is not too severe and the child feels well, the use of antipyretics is not recommended in order to give the body the opportunity to fight the infection on its own. In order to bring down the temperature, it is better to use drugs containing ibuprofen or paracetamol in the appropriate dosage - they will not only eliminate the fever, but also reduce pain in the ear.

Ibuprofen for children

The main component of the treatment of otitis accompanied by fever is antibacterial agents, which can be local (used at the site of inflammation) or systemic. In cases of mild disease - the disease is accompanied only by pain in the ears and low-grade fever - the fight against the pathological process is usually limited to the use of local drugs. If such treatments are ineffective, you should switch to systemic therapy.

For purulent otitis, the use of antibiotics (Amoxicillin, Flemoxin Solutab), which are prescribed by a doctor, is indicated. An increase in temperature during otitis plays another important role - it helps to evaluate the effectiveness of the chosen treatment regimen. With proper therapy, an improvement in condition and a decrease in temperature is observed within the first day. If the fever remains unchanged for several days, it is necessary to select other drugs. With proper treatment, catarrhal otitis takes an average of a week, purulent otitis – in two weeks.

General principles of treatment of otitis media in children

In order to get rid of the disease and its symptoms as soon as possible, it is necessary to adhere to the general rules for the treatment of ear diseases.

  1. Antibiotics for oral administration are prescribed exclusively by the attending physician. As a rule, therapy includes cephalosporins and penicillins, and in the presence of allergies, macrolides.
  2. It is not advisable to use drops containing antibiotics in the first stages of the disease - drugs with an analgesic and decongestant effect are better suited. They are used in the acute phase of the disease in the presence of perforation, as well as in cases of chronic otitis.

Compress for otitis in a child

You should not bathe a child with otitis media - it is better to rub it with warm water. Meals should include light but nutritious meals with sufficient vitamins. Walking is allowed only after the temperature has returned to normal, and ear pain and purulent discharge have disappeared, and the baby needs to wear a hat while he is outside.

How to treat otitis in children

Prevention of otitis

The development of otitis media in children can be prevented with simple preventive measures. First of all, it is necessary to avoid colds and increase immunity: take vitamin complexes, eat fresh vegetables and fruits, and harden the child. If the baby does get sick with a cold or acute respiratory viral infection, treatment should be carried out in a timely manner and under the supervision of a doctor. Under no circumstances should you clean out earwax with objects not intended for this purpose - pins, matches, bobby pins. Children under three years of age require constant adult supervision - children of this age often insert foreign objects into their ears, as a result of which purulent otitis media develops.

Children often put foreign objects in their ears

Inflammation of the ear canals is a common problem that many parents face. This disease is not dangerous to the health and life of the child, but, nevertheless, requires timely diagnosis and proper treatment.

Video - When should otitis media be treated with antibiotics?

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Source: http://med-explorer.ru/otolaringologiya/lechenie-detej/temperatura-pri-otite-u-rebenka.html