Otitis media. Illustration of a section through the human head showing the middle ear with otitis media, including sinusitis. At centre left is the external ear canal leading to the eardrum. At right of the eardrum is the middle ear, which is infected and inflamed, with a pus discharge (yellow). Symptoms of otitis media are often due to bacterial infection, with earache, fever and tinnitis (a ringing). The infection occurs after spreading up the eustachian tube (lower centre) from infection in the upper respiratory tract. The nasal cavity contains pus, as do bone sinuses above the nose (sinusitis). Treatment with anti- biotic drugs; the pus may need surgical draining.