Sinusitis— also known as a sinus infection— is a common condition that affects millions of people every year. It can leave you feeling completely drained with symptoms like facial pain, stuffy or runny nose, lingering headaches, and sometimes fever and more.
Let’s learn about sinusitis, what causes it, how to spot the symptoms, and what you can do to feel better.
What Is Sinusitis?
A sinus infection happens when the tissues lining your sinuses— the air-filled space behind your forehead, cheeks, nose, and eyes— become inflamed or infected. It can block mucus drainage, causing your sinuses to build up with fluid. This can lead to pressure and pain in your face, nasal congestion, and other symptoms.
Sinusitis can be acute or chronic, depending upon the duration of your symptoms.
Acute sinusitis— comes on suddenly and usually lasts less than three weeks
Chronic sinusitis— symptoms last for more than 12 weeks, even with treatment. It may come and go or linger for months.
What Causes Sinusitis?
There are many things that can trigger a sinus infection.
- Viruses— the most common cause, often following a cold, flu, or an upper respiratory tract infection
- Bacteria— in some cases bacteria can take over when your sinuses stay blocked
- Allergies— hay fever or other allergies can cause inflammation that leads to sinus blockage
- Nasal polyps— these are growths in the nasal passage that can obstruct airflow and drainage
- Deviated nasal septum— nasal septum is the line of tissue that divides your nose, if it is crooked and isn’t straight, it can narrow the passage on one side of your nose and cause blockage
- Fungal infections— it is rare but possible, especially in people with weakened immune systems
What are the Common Symptoms of Sinusitis?
Common symptoms of a sinus infection are:
- Facial pain or pressure (especially around the eyes, forehead, and cheeks)
- Blocked or runny nose
- Thick yellow or green nasal discharge
- A reduced sense of smell
- Headache
- Post nasal drip (mucus dripping down the back of your throat)
- Cough
- Bad breath
- Fever (more common with bacterial infections)
- Tooth pain or tenderness in your upper jaw
- Feeling of pressure in the ears
- Tiredness
How is Sinusitis Diagnosed?
Your doctor would usually diagnose sinusitis based on your symptoms and physical exam. They might also look inside your nose using an endoscope (a small lighted instrument) to check for swelling, blockage, or discharge.
In some cases they might recommend some additional tests to diagnose sinusitis like nasal endoscopy, nasal swabs (to test for viruses or other germs), imaging tests like CT scan, or in rare cases, biopsy.
What are the Treatment Options for Sinusitis?
There are many treatment options for sinusitis depending upon your symptoms and duration of the infection.
1. Home Remedies and Self-Care:
For a mild or early sinus infection, maybe all you need is home care:
- Rest— it helps your body to heal
- Hydration— drinking plenty of fluids thins mucus, making it easier to drain
- Steam inhalation— breathing in steam can help loosen mucus and ease congestion
- Saline nasal spray or rinse— helps keep the nasal passages moist and flushes out mucus
- Warm compresses— applying warm compresses to your face may help relieve pressure and pain
- You can also use some over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers, cold, and allergy medications
2. Medications:
If your symptoms are more severe or persistent, your doctor might prescribe you medications like
- Decongestants (oral or topical)
- Steroid nasal spray (Don’t use non-prescription steroid nasal sprays or drops for more than three to five days as it may worsen your congestion)
- Antibiotics (Only if bacterial infection is suspected, viral sinus infections don’t respond to antibiotics)
- Antihistamines (if allergy is the cause of your infection)
3. Surgery:
Your GP may refer you to an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist, if:
- You still have sinusitis after three months of treatment
- Your symptoms are just on one side of the face
- You keep getting sinusitis
If you have chronic sinusitis, the ENT specialist would recommend surgery called Functional Endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) to open up blocked sinuses.
Is a Sinus Infection Contagious or Not?
A sinus infection itself isn’t usually contagious but the underlying conditions can be.
If your sinus infection is triggered by a virus such as the common cold or flu, that virus is contagious, even though the sinus infection itself isn’t.
However if your sinus infection is caused by non-infectious causes like seasonal allergies, environmental pollutants, or nasal polyp, then it’s not contagious.
Can Sinus Infections Be Prevented?
You can’t always avoid getting a sinus infection, but there are a few habits that can go a long way in reducing your chances of getting one.
- Wash your hands regularly— this helps prevent catching cold or other infections that can lead to sinusitis
- Stay away from smoke— avoid smoking or second hand smoke as both can irritate your sinuses
- Manage your allergies— if you have allergies, keeping them under control can help prevent inflammation that blocks your sinuses
- Use a humidifier— to keep nasal passages moist, especially in dry weather
- Take care of your overall health— Stay well-hydrated, eat a healthy balanced diet, and make sure you get enough rest. A strong immune system is your best defense
When to See a Doctor?
Not every sinus infection needs medical treatment. Many resolve on their own, especially if caused by a virus. But it’s a good idea to see your doctor if:
- Your symptoms last more than 10 days
- You don’t get better after three weeks of treating yourself at home
- Your symptoms get worse after starting to improve
- You have a high fever
- You have repeated sinus infections throughout the year
- You have severe facial pain or swelling
- You have a weakened immune system (such as from immunotherapy)
Final Thoughts:
Sinus infections can be painful and exhausting , especially if they keep coming back. But the good news is most cases clear up with some rest, care, and time. Recognising the symptoms early and knowing when to get help can make all the difference.
If you’re dealing with persistent sinus issues, don’t ignore them. A little attention today can save you from a lot of discomfort tomorrow.
