Was fine until I wasn't

For what seemed to be no particular reason I got a really bad ear ache last night. I didn't have a cold or anything going on that the macro level of my body was aware of but apparently something was going on at the micro level and boy oh boy did it hurt.  I finally took NyQuil and got some sleep. Actually, I got lots of sleep. I slept until afternoon. Now my ear feels better and it is pretty obvious that the crud draining from it is the reason for the relief.  While the ear feels better, the rest of me feels worse...fever, aches, etc.  I could make a most realistic TV commercial.  
I have to be well by morning so I can go to work.  I have to wash my hair without getting water in my ear.