Otitis media is an inflammation of the middle ear, usually associated with a buildup of fluid. The fluid may or may not be infected.
There are several kinds of otitis media:
- Acute otitis media is an infection that produces pus, fluid, and inflammation within the middle ear. It is frequently associated with signs of upper respiratory infection, such as a runny or stuffy nose.
- Otitis media with effusion is the presence of middle ear fluid for 6 weeks or more from the initial acute otitis media.
- Chronic otitis media may develop when the infection persists for more than 2 weeks.
