Otitis media is inflammation located in the middle ear.
Otitis media can occur as a result of a cold, sore throat, or respiratory infection. Nearly half of these children have three or more episodes by the time they are 3 years of age. Otitis media can also affect adults, although it is primarily a condition that occurs in children. About 30 million visits to the pediatrician each year are due to otitis media. Otitis media occurs most often in children younger than 7 years of age and even more frequently in children between the ages of 6 months and 3 years.