Can I fly after recovering from acute otitis media?

Patients with resolved acute otitis media may fly; however, flying should be avoided if they have a cold, “heatiness” (a traditional Chinese medicine concept referring to inflammatory or febrile conditions), or an upper respiratory tract infection. Acute otitis media is prone to recurrence or progression to otitis media with effusion. During aircraft takeoff and landing, cabin pressure changes can readily impair normal Eustachian tube function, potentially leading to negative pressure or fluid accumulation in the middle ear.