Otitis media (acute)

[Raeanne Dimick]

Acute otitis media is a bacterial or viral infection of the middle ear.

Acute otitis media often occurs in people with a cold or allergies.
The infected ear is painful.
Doctors examine the eardrum to make the diagnosis.
Certain routine childhood vaccinations can reduce the risk of acute otitis media.
The infection may be treated with antibiotics.

Acute otitis media (AOM) results from infection by viruses or bacteria, often as a complication of the common cold or of allergies. Although acute otitis media can occur at any age, it is most common between the ages of 3 months and 3 years. Acute otitis media often occurs during this age range because structures in the middle ear, such as the eustachian tube, are immature and not functioning properly. Symptoms and treatment are similar in adults and older children (for acute otitis media in younger children, see Acute Middle Ear Infection in Children ).
Rarely, bacterial otitis media spreads to nearby structures such as the mastoid bone behind the ear (mastoiditis) or the inner ear. Spread into the brain is extremely rare, but some people develop meningitis or a collection of pus (abscess) in or around the brain.