This is inflammation or infection of your middle ear (the space
behind your eardrum) and is often associated with a build-up of
fluid in your middle ear. Acute Otitis Media This is usually
caused by a temporary malfunction of the Eustachian tube due to
allergies, infections or trauma. The Eustachian tube connects
the middle ear to the nose and allows air to enter the middle
ear, thus making middle ear pressure the same as air pressure
outside the head. Acute otitis media results in an infection in
the middle ear causing pain, fever and a red, bulging eardrum
(the thin, transparent membrane between the outer ear canal and
the middle ear). This condition is usually seen in young
children. The treatment may be antibiotics if it is suspected to
be a bacterial, rather than viral, infection, or if there are
repeated episodes, surgical insertion of grommets into the
eardrums may be required. Grommets are tiny ventilation tubes
that allow normal airflow into, and drainage out of, the middle
ear until the Eustachian t