Acute otitis media is a short-term inflammation of the middle ear and is one of the most common diseases in children. It is often the reason for a visit to the pediatrician and the prescription of antibiotics. It is estimated that almost every child has experienced at least one episode of acute ear infection by the age of three. Due to its high prevalence, this condition represents a significant economic and public health problem. Depending on the duration of symptoms, otitis media can be acute or chronic. Acute otitis media is usually preceded by viral inflammation of the upper respiratory system. Despite this, the most common causes of acute otitis media are not viruses but bacteria. The most common bacterial pathogens are Streptococcus pneumoniae, non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae and Moraxella catarrhalis. Symptoms of the disease can be divided into general and local. General symptoms of acute otitis media include elevated body temperature, headache, lethargy and irritability while local symptoms include otalgia, otorrhea and impaired hearing. Otoscopy findings are crucial for making a diagnosis. In acute ear infections, otoscopy reveals a bulging, erythematous and immovable eardrum. Acute otitis media is commonly treated with antibiotics. However, due to the increasing bacterial resistance, efforts are being made to limit their use. For patients with mild clinical presentation, symptomatic treatment and further monitoring are recommended. Acute otitis media complications are divided into intracranial and extracranial. Complications are now uncommon because of the widespread usage of antibiotics.