US Medical Term · maternity
Otitis Media (Ear Infection)
Otitis media
In 9 languages
| Language | Term |
|---|---|
| English | Otitis Media (Ear Infection) |
| Spanish (Español) | Otitis media |
| Chinese (中文) | 中耳炎 |
| Korean (한국어) | 중이염 |
| Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt) | Viêm tai giữa |
| Filipino (Tagalog) | Otitis media (impeksyon sa tainga) |
| Portuguese (Português) | Otite média |
| Thai (ภาษาไทย) | หูชั้นกลางอักเสบ |
| Japanese (日本語) | 中耳炎 |
What it means
Otitis media is an infection or inflammation of the middle ear — the space behind the eardrum. It is the most common infection for which children in the US receive antibiotics. Symptoms include ear pain (a young child may pull at their ear), fever, irritability, difficulty sleeping, and temporarily reduced hearing. It often follows a cold. Most cases resolve on their own, and pediatric guidelines now recommend a "watch and wait" approach for mild cases in children over 2. Antibiotics are prescribed for severe cases, children under 2, or when symptoms do not improve. Repeated ear infections may require ear tubes.
How to say it
Sentences a patient might use with a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or insurer:
My toddler keeps pulling at her ear and has a fever — could this be an ear infection?
Mi pequeño sigue jalándose la oreja y tiene fiebre — ¿podría ser una infección de oído?
Does my child need antibiotics for this ear infection or can we wait and see?
¿Mi hijo necesita antibióticos para esta infección de oído o podemos esperar y ver?
My child has had four ear infections this year — should we talk about ear tubes?
Mi hijo ha tenido cuatro infecciones de oído este año — ¿deberíamos hablar sobre tubos en los oídos?
Where you'll see it
Related ICD-10-CM category
H66 Suppurative and unspecified otitis mediaRelated terms
Sources
Last reviewed: September 2026