American Rhinologic Society. Through research, education, and advocacy, the American Rhinologic Society is devoted to serving patients with nose, sinus, and skull base disorders.
Their website provides a valuable search tool to find a doctor, as well as links to other medical societies and resources that are useful for patients. Cleveland Clinic. Their website contains an exhaustive guide on sinusitis and an easy-to-use " Find a Doctor " search tool.
ENThealth provides useful information on how the ear, nose, and throat ENT are all connected , along with information about sinusitis and other related illnesses and symptoms, such as rhinitis, deviated septum, and postnasal drip. PBS News Hour. March 29, Pediatric Sinusitis. By subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Health Topics. Health Tools. Sinus Infection. Reviewed: September 2, Medically Reviewed. Sinusitis occurs when the mucous membranes become inflamed or swollen. A blockage of the sinus often occurs before the inflammation. Though the terms sinusitis and sinus infection are often used interchangeably, you do not need to have an infection to experience sinusitis.
Are sinus infections contagious? Sinus infections develop because of a blockage of the sinus and nasal passage. Sinus infections are not always contagious, though others may develop the illness depending on what is causing the inflammation of the sinus. Will a sinus infection go away on its own? A visit to the doctor is usually not required for acute sinusitis. If symptoms last more than 10 days, or initially improve and then worsen again within seven days, a person may be experiencing a secondary bacterial infection and should seek treatment from a doctor.
How long can a sinus infection last? Acute sinusitis can last 7 to 10 days if caused by a viral infection. If caused by a bacterial infection, it can last for up to four weeks. Chronic sinusitis can last for 12 weeks or more. It can cause inflammation of the mucous membranes that may last for months. People with chronic sinusitis describe it as a never-ending cold. Is it a sinus infection, cold, or allergy?
Sinus infections, colds, and allergies can cause similar symptoms, including headaches and stuffiness. Though colds and allergies can cause congestion and a runny nose, sinus infections usually cause an aching sensation and pressure in the face. Allergies and colds both can cause sneezing, a symptom not usually associated with sinus infections.
The hallmark symptoms of a sinus infection, whether acute or chronic, are: Nasal congestion stuffy nose Thick nasal discharge that is yellow to green in color Decreased or lost sense of smell A feeling of pain, pressure, or fullness in the sinuses 1 Other common symptoms include: Postnasal drip when mucusdrips down the back of the throat Headache Tooth pain Bad breath halitosis Fatigue Fever greater than Top Causes of Sinus Inflammation, Swelling, and Stuffiness There are numerous causes of sinus blockage and inflammation, which can make sinus infections more likely.
When to See a Doctor About a Sinus Infection On the other hand, a secondary acute bacterial infection may develop, so it's advised that you see a doctor if your symptoms last more than 10 days or if your symptoms initially improve but then worsen again within the first 7 days. See a doctor immediately if you experience: A persistent fever higher than degrees F normal sinus infection fevers are at least Treatment for acute sinus infections focus on relieving symptoms, such as by: Drinking lots of fluids and getting plenty of rest Flushing out the sinuses with a saline nasal wash like a Neti Pot or a saline nasal spray Inhaling steam several times a day Using a humidifier Resting a warmed, moist washcloth or a warm compress over your nose and cheeks 3, 13, 14, 15, 16 Medication Options Various over-the-counter and prescription medications may help relieve sinus infection symptoms.
These include: Nonprescription pain medications, including acetaminophen Tylenol or ibuprofen Motrin , Advil Corticosteroid nasal spray Nasal decongestants, which should not be used for more than three consecutive days Medications to thin secretions to help clear mucus mucolytics Nasal anticholinergic sprays, such as ipratropium bromide Atrovent , to reduce runny nose symptoms Antibiotics may be a part of some sinus infection treatment regimes, but only if it is a bacterial sinus infection and not one caused by a virus or fungus.
You wake up with a runny nose, headache, tenderness under your eyes and around your nose and maybe a cough. Is it a cold or is it a sinus infection? Colds can progress into a sinus infection as they both are caused by a virus. Chronic sinus infections may drag on for months at a time. Both acute and chronic sinus infections can be viral or bacterial.
Some long-standing infections are fungal. First you need to know the cause of the sinus infection. Is it viral or bacterial? To get relief from sinus infection symptoms you can use nasal decongestant sprays, oral and topical antihistamines, nasal steroids and nasal saline washes.
For a bacterial infection, antibiotics are usually prescribed. But be careful here. Due to the overprescribing of antibiotics in recent years, and the development of antibiotic resistance, allergists recommend only taking an antibiotic if the symptoms last more than seven to 10 days.
The sinus cavity, which is like a dark cave, fills up with fluid and becomes blocked. This is the perfect place for germs to grow. People who have nasal allergies already have this sinus irritation. If you have a weak immune system , you are more likely to develop sinus infection from bacteria or mold. Other things that can cause sinus infections are colds, seasonal allergies, nasal polyps or a deviated septum.
With a deviated septum one side of the nose is shifted over, and it makes it hard to drain mucous, so the sinuses get backed up. They include: postnasal drip that thick mucus in the back of your throat , discolored nasal discharge green mucous coming out of your nose , stuffy nose or nasal congestion and tenderness or pain in the face — usually under the eyes or around the nose.
You can also have headaches, tooth pain, coughing from the post nasal drip, fever, fatigue, a bad smell in your nose or a bad taste in your mouth and bad breath.
Sinus Infection Sinus infection is a major health problem. On this page. Overview Sinus infection known as sinusitis is a major health problem. Find expert care. Find an Allergist.
Sinus infection symptoms A bad cold is often mistaken for a sinus infection. Sinus infection diagnosis If you think you have a sinus infection, see your allergist for proper diagnosis. What is sinusitis? The sinuses are air-filled cavities. They are located: Within the bony structure of the cheeks Behind the forehead and eyebrows On either side of the bridge of the nose Behind the nose directly in front of the brain An infection of the sinus cavity close to the brain can be life threatening, if not treated.
The most common of these defects are: Deformity of the bony partition between the two nasal passages Nasal polyps benign nasal growths that contain mucus A narrowing of the sinus openings People with these defects often suffer from chronic sinus infections. Symptoms Common symptoms of sinus infection include: Postnasal drip Discolored nasal discharge greenish in color Nasal stuffiness or congestion Tenderness of the face particularly under the eyes or at the bridge of the nose Frontal headaches Pain in the teeth Coughing Fever Fatigue Bad breath Sinus infection sinusitis is often confused with rhinitis , a medical term used to describe the symptoms that accompany nasal inflammation and irritation.
How is sinus infection diagnosed? Your allergist will look for: Redness Swelling of the nasal tissues Tenderness of the face Discolored greenish nasal discharge Bad Breath If your sinus infection lasts longer than eight weeks, or if standard antibiotic treatment is not working, a sinus CT scan may help your allergist diagnose the problem. Treatment Antibiotics Antibiotics are standard treatments for bacterial sinus infections.
Nasal decongestant sprays Topical nasal decongestants can be helpful if used for no more than three to four days. Antihistamines Antihistamines block inflammation caused by an allergic reaction so they can help to fight symptoms of allergies that can lead to swollen nasal and sinus passages. Nasal decongestants and antihistamines Over-the-counter combination drugs should be used with caution. Topical nasal corticosteroids These prescription nasal sprays prevent and reverse inflammation and swelling in the nasal passages and sinus openings, addressing the biggest problem associated with sinus infection.
A sinus infection can trigger a sinus headache or pressure in your forehead and cheeks. Your doctor may have you schedule another visit to monitor your condition. The doctor may also order additional tests to determine whether allergies are triggering your sinusitis. Because sinus infections can develop after a cold, flu, or allergic reaction, a healthy lifestyle and reducing your exposure to germs and allergens can help prevent an infection.
To reduce your risk, you can:. Sinus infections are treatable, and most people recover without seeing a doctor or taking antibiotics. However, tell your doctor if you have repeat or chronic sinus infection issues.
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