What is sinusitis?

Sinusitis is infection or inflammation of the lining of the sinus cavities. These are hollow spaces in your cheeks and around your eyes. Sinus infections often follow a cold and cause pain and pressure in your head and face.

Sinusitis can be either acute (sudden) or chronic (long-term). With chronic sinusitis, the infection or inflammation does not completely go away for 8 weeks or more.

What causes sinusitis?

Sinusitis can be caused by three things:

• Viruses.
• Bacteria.
• Fungi.

The same viruses that cause the common cold cause most cases of sinusitis.

When the lining of the sinus cavities gets inflamed from a viral infection like a cold, it swells. This is viral sinusitis. The swelling can block the normal drainage of fluid from the sinuses into the nose and throat. If the fluid cannot drain and builds up over time, bacteria or fungi (plural of fungus) may start to grow in it. These bacterial or fungal infections can cause more swelling and pain. They are more likely to last longer, get worse with time, and become chronic.

Nasal allergies or other problems that block the nasal passages and allow fluid to build up in the sinuses can also lead to sinusitis.

See a picture of normal facial sinuses and a picture of a blocked sinus.

What are the symptoms?

The main symptoms of sinusitis are a runny or stuffy nose and pain and pressure in your head and face. You may also have a yellow or green drainage or drip from your nose or down the back of your throat (postnasal discharge). Where you feel the pain and tenderness depends on which sinus is affected.

Other common symptoms of sinusitis may include:

• A headache.
• Bad breath.
• A cough that produces mucus.
• A fever.
• Pain in your teeth.
• A reduced sense of taste or smell.

How is sinusitis diagnosed?

Your doctor can tell if you have sinusitis by asking questions about your past health and doing a physical exam. You probably won't need any other tests.

How is it treated?

Viral sinus infections usually go away on their own within 10 to 14 days. Antibiotics don't work for viral infections. But there are some things you can do at home to help relieve your symptoms:

• Drink plenty of fluids.
• Try over-the-counter pain relievers and decongestant pills to help relieve the pain and pressure in your head and face.
• Put a hot, damp towel or gel pack on your face for 5 to 10 minutes at a time, several times a day.
• Breathe warm, moist air from a steamy shower, a hot bath, or a sink filled with hot water.
• Use saltwater nose drops to help keep the nasal passages open and wash out mucus and bacteria.