What defines acute otitis media?

Acute otitis media is characterized by an infection in the middle ear, which is located behind the eardrum. This condition is particularly common in children and often occurs following a respiratory infection, leading to the accumulation of fluid and pus in the middle ear. The symptoms typically include ear pain, fever, irritability, and trouble sleeping.

This condition is different from infections in the outer ear, sinus infections, or throat infections, which involve different anatomical areas and present with distinct clinical features. Infections of the outer ear, known as otitis externa, affect the ear canal, while sinus infections involve the sinuses, and throat infections generally pertain to the pharynx or tonsils. Therefore, the defining aspect of acute otitis media is its specific location in the middle ear, distinguishing it from these other types of infections.