MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Middle ear infection

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Middle ear infection

A middle ear infection is also known as otitis media. It is one of the most common of childhood infections. With this illness, the middle ear becomes red, swollen, and inflamed because of bacteria trapped in the eustachian tube.

Update Date: 5/3/2006

Updated by: Kevin Fung, MD, FRCS(C), Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, MI. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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