15 Symptoms of a Sinus Infection and When to See a Doctor

Written by Resurchify | Updated on: April 19, 2022

This article is the complete guide to Sinus Infection.

What is Sinus Infection?

Sinuses are the empty chambers in the vertebrae that encircle the nose and link to it by minute, tiny pathways. Often known as sinusitis or rhinosinusitis, the symptoms damage both the nose and the sinuses. The sinus also affects around one in every eight persons every year. It is an infection or enlargement of the nasal membrane or the nasal wall. The inflammation caused by this infection begins when viruses or pathogens enter and grow in an individual's sinuses, typically during a cold. As a part of the body's natural response to inflammation, the nasal membrane or the sinus wall swells or enlarges, thereby obstructing the passages that discharge the sinuses. As a result, mucus and phlegm accumulate in the nasal and the sinus openings. For others, however, the symptoms and the inflammation may occur as a consequence of the nose and sinuses responding to various things in the environment and hence may not even be considered an infection.

Types of Sinusitis Infection

Sinusitis can be divided into four major parts. They are as follows.

Acute Sinusitis

Develops when the symptoms last for four or less than four weeks. This type of sinusitis induces inflammation, redness and swelling of the openings within one's nose. This hampers the circulation and promotes mucus to accumulate, causing difficulty in breathing. In some cases, the skin around one's eyes and face may also be inflated, and one might feel a kind of discomfort in the head. The common cold seems to be the most prominent causative agent of the acute sinus.

Chronic Sinus

Chronic infection occurs as a result of recurring or inadequately managed acute conditions. Chronic sinusitis develops when the symptoms persist for eight weeks or more. Though sometimes, acute and chronic sinusitis is caused due to the same reason, both are completely different from each other.

Recurrent Sinus

Recurrent Acute Sinusitis (RARS) s determined when a patient has four or more occurrences of rhino-sinusitis per year with no persisting indications in between.

Subacute Sinus

The other type is subacute sinusitis which refers to sinusitis that lasts for four to eight weeks. Many of the symptoms of subacute sinusitis are the same as those of other forms of sinusitis. But subacute sinuses may have more serious conditions than the other sinuses because of the longer duration of the infection.

15 Symptoms of Sinus Infection

The symptoms of a sinus infection may vary from person to person, depending upon one's age. For instance, the symptom of sinusitis in younger children is quite different from those of adults or older children. Thus, age can be considered as one of the important factors for causing sinus infections in human beings. The symptoms of a cold sometimes resemble those of a sinus infection. These can, however, last for a week or more, but if the situation goes on degrading with time, it is advisory to consult the ENT doctor to get a proper diagnosis and treatment done.

Some of the common symptoms of sinus infection are described below:

Facial Pressure

One of the most common symptoms of sinusitis infection is pain in the face and the sinus areas. Individuals have different sinuses in different parts of the face: below the eyes, behind the nose, etc. Pressure on these sinus areas can cause swollenness, redness, and a burning sensation, which in a way will only lead to pain in the sinuses. One may feel pain in the forehead, the nose areas, the jaws of the teeth, eyes, mouth, etc. This pain is caused due to the alteration of the path of the phlegm or the mucus from the nose to the back of the mouth. This changing of the path causes severe headaches and pain in the areas where sinuses are present.

Bad Breath or Halitosis

Chronic bad breath, which is often referred to as halitosis is caused due to poor dental health. A dry mouth also sometimes leads to the occurrence of bad breath. However, in this case, the mucus or the phlegm produced by the infected sinus may sometimes have a bad odour that again flows down the throat into one's mouth. And when people talk, this results in bad breath. This symptom can, however, be reduced by brushing one's teeth twice a day, using anti-bacterial mouthwash, drinking enough amount of water to help the mouth from getting dry, avoiding alcohol and intoxication, chewing mint candies or gums and so on.

Cough at Night or Occasional Cough During Daytime

Cough is caused when the cells along the air passage get irritated and trigger a chain of events or responses. This results in the air in the lungs getting out in force under very high pressure. An individual can either voluntarily choose to cough out the unwanted mucus formed inside the lungs or the body can cough itself on its own. As the discharge from the sinus can drain down back to one's throat, this can irritate the throat for a long time. This may sometimes lead to recurring cough which can affect an individual at any point of time (either during daytime or at night) - while eating food while lying on his back while getting up from the bed while talking and so on. Sometimes, this chronic cough can make sleep very difficult by increasing the intensity and frequency of the cough.

Runny Nose Along With Post-Nasal Drainage

Individuals having sinus infections often need to blow their noses frequently due to their runny nose. Their nasal discharge or the mucus which is blown out may sometimes be yellowish or greenish. This nasal discharge comes out from the infected sinuses that drain down through the nasal passages. This process is known as post-nasal drainage or post-nasal drip. It causes a sense of pressure in the throat as well as in the mouth, thereby leading to a feeling of congestion. Sometimes, the mucus dripping down the nose walls may also go back to the throat, which leads to irritation and an itchy feeling in the throat.

Fever

The most common symptom of any infection is fever. It is a sign to show that the body is trying to fight off an infection or a disease. Individuals dealing with sinus infections are also seen to have high fever as a symptom. The body temperature falls to 38 or 39 degrees Celcius. This fever is also accompanied by various other complaints such as headache, fatigue, muscle pain, cold, cough, a feeling of exhaustion and tiredness and so on.

Headache

One of the major symptoms of sinus infection is a headache. This is caused due to persistent pressure and pain of the sinuses. While blowing out the unwanted substances from the sinuses, we apply pressure to it. This causes pain in the sinuses, thereby leading to pain in the forehead, leading to severe sinus headaches. These kinds of headaches are the worst, which mainly occur in the front of the head at any time. During the night, the nasal fluids get collected in the sinuses. Therefore, in the morning, the headache is the worst. Similarly, when pressures are applied while sleeping or even while trying to change the position of the head, the headache can strike and make one feel dizzy and pressurized.

Toothache

Sinus and toothache are related to one another. Intense sinusitis can cause pain in the gums which leads to severe toothache, gum pain, or general pain inside the mouth. The pain in the upper back area of our teeth is one of the most common symptoms of sinus infection. Because the roots of the teeth are very near to the sinus cavity. The pain caused in the sinuses, therefore might cause inflammation in the nearby tooth area. Similarly, the damage in the upper jaws of the teeth can lead to chronic sinusitis. Research shows that 40% of chronic sinusitis is caused due to infection in the dental areas. The studies show that since the upper back portion of our jaws is close to the maxillary sinuses, infectious organisms or bacteria can get transferred into these cavities, leading to pain and swelling of the gums. Although the sinus toothache typically affects the upper jaws of the teeth, an infection that lasts longer than a week can even travel to the lower jaws and cause severe pain in the front of the head, ear, nose, face etc.

A Decreased Sense of Taste and Smell

The sinuses that remain congested in the nasal and throat areas for a long time can affect both the sense of smell and taste. When the mucus remains clogged in the nose, breathing becomes difficult, which usually leads to the loss of smell. When again gets dripped down from the nose to the throat, the mucus affects the ability to taste. People with sinus infections may likely be able to get the taste of salty food items, but apart from that, people cannot get the taste of any other food items that may taste bland or dull. The loss of smell occurs due to nasal allergies in the sinuses and inflammation in the nose (rhinitis). The gradual loss of smell then leads to the loss of taste too.

Nasal Blockage or Nasal Obstruction

Sinuses may be inflamed and swollen with the nasal discharge and post-nasal drip. These inflamed sinuses may also restrict how well an individual can breathe through their nose. The infection also causes swelling in the sinuses and nasal passages, leading to a feeling of congestion or obstruction. This occurs because the mucus is unable to flow in a normal pattern. Instead, it remains trapped inside, thereby giving us the feeling of blockage. Due to this nasal blockage, one might probably not be able to breathe properly, leading to a decreased sense of smell and taste. In some individuals, the voice might also sound hoarse and stuffy.

Dizziness and Fatigue

Since the mucus blocks the nasal passages, this blockage adds to the weight in the face area. It also leads to pain and irritation in the face. As people tend to move around, the heaviness in the face can sometimes cut off the body's balance and might slightly lead to some amount of dizziness in the individual. This symptom is particularly visible when one tries to lean their head forward. The feeling of dizziness also causes frequent headaches, and one might, in some cases, feel their heads turning. In order to fight sinusitis in the body, it requires a large amount of energy. So, it is natural that one might feel fatigued from applying pressure to the body in order to fight sinuses. Some people may tend to feel exhausted because they are not able to breathe properly or because they might be in pain.

Stuffy Ears

The sinuses and the ears are connected inside the heads of the individual. Therefore, it is common or natural that sinus congestion and stuffiness can affect the pressure in one's ears. The fluids from the sinuses cannot travel down and therefore get trapped in the ears behind the eardrum, causing unnatural swelling and pain in the ear. The other symptoms of earache are a sharp and stabbing pain in the ear canal, a stuffy nose can also lead to a stuffy ear, ear drainage and so on. Since the mucus cannot drip downwards or cannot come out, it causes ear pressure, causing infection in the sinuses.

Discoloured Snot or Bright Coloured Mucus

When an individual has a cold, their immune system sends white blood cells called neutrophils rushing to the area. These cells contain a greenish-coloured enzyme, and in large numbers, they can turn the mucus the same colour. Mucus, however, associated with sinusitis, is usually thick and possesses a yellow hue. But discoloured or even bright coloured mucus means that an individual is suffering from sinus along with other various diseases. If an individual is coughing up other dark coloured mucus, it is advised to see an ENT doctor as soon as possible because the symptoms that follow this would only cause more trouble.

Having Severe Symptoms That Go on or Persist for Two Weeks or More

Having a cold for over two weeks or more may not be considered normal. Because normal cold resolves after one week or so. The cold, which lasts for two or more weeks, needs to be considered serious and a doctor should be consulted as early as possible. Acute sinusitis, however may take a month or so to completely disappear. But chronic sinusitis can last for 4 to 12 weeks or may sometimes even continue for years.

Sore Throat

The post-nasal drainage can leave one with a raw and painful throat. Though it may originally start to irritate and annoy, it can gradually worsen. While the mucus can last for a few weeks or more, it sometimes may cause irritation and inflame the throat areas as it drips down. This might result in painful swelling of the throat and also the voice of an individual might change due to this. The voice might slightly become stuffed or hoarse. However, frequent coughing and clearing of the throat might lead to a more damaging result.

Tenderness of the Face

Due to a large amount of pressure applied the face becomes tender and soft due to the build-up pressure. This leads to building up the gap between the nose and the under eyes which may also occur in the face and the cheekbones. The tenderness thus might lead to a sinus infection.

When to See a Doctor for Sinusitis

Acute sinusitis typically resolves by itself; however, patients should seek medical advice for sinus infection therapy if self-care fails. If the condition progresses or worsens with the passage of time, one should visit a doctor as soon as possible. If the symptoms like fever, cough, nasal flow, postnasal drip, pain in the ears, and pain in the face continue for more than 14 days, an appointment with the doctor is a must. If an individual still has sinusitis symptoms after a week or if they reappear over a few instances within a year, it is advisory that one should consult a doctor in that case.

To further determine the source of an illness, an ENT expert might collect a sample of nasal discharge. The ENT expert can also perform a more thorough examination of the sinuses, looking for any structural issues in the nasal passages that could contribute to persistent sinus problems. Although a fever is not a common sign of either chronic or acute sinusitis, it might probably be one of the major symptoms of causing sinusitis. One might be suffering from an underlying medical condition that is generating one's persistent health problems, in which case one may require specialized treatment. Nasal polyps, a misaligned septum, asthma, allergies, and other medical issues may be causing all these recurring infectious diseases. A doctor can help an individual find out what's causing their sinus infection and suggest treatment alternatives. It is also necessary to see a doctor right away if one has any of these signs and symptoms of more serious infection: like a temperature of more than 39.4°C, a sudden drop in the normal body temperature, a feeling of cold or chilliness, forgetfulness, limited range of motion, stiffness, changes in vision, or any similar symptoms that are worrisome or extreme.

To determine the cause of the infection in the body, the doctor might undertake several medical tests. Some of the most common ones include:

Examination using an otoscope: Doctors undertake an ear and nose examination in patients with sinusitis symptoms. During the examination, a medical gadget known as an "otoscope" is used.
Endoscopy of the nose: A medical gadget will be placed into one's nose to assist specialists in inspecting one's sinuses. While the medical assessment is being completed, pain killers are regularly given to the nose.

CT Scan:

This examination comprises an X-ray. It is typically used to determine severe instances of sinus infection.
Test for Allergies: An allergic response may be the source of discomfort or obstruction in some circumstances. Most doctors do an allergy test to rule out a viral or bacterial illness.

Frequently Asked Questions on Sinusitis

Is Sinus a Common Ailment?

Every year, almost 37 million people experience symptoms of at least one attack of acute sinusitis. Chronic sinusitis is almost present in every infant around the world till they mature or become teens. The rise in sinusitis during the previous decade can be attributed in part to dramatically increase in pollution, urban sprawl, antimicrobial resistance and so on.

What Are the Various Home Remedies to Treat Sinusitis?

Warm, damp air may help to relieve sinus congestion. Experts recommend a humidifier or vapour from a pan of heated water. Humidifiers must be cleaned and maintained meticulously to avoid spreading germs or fungus agents into the air. It is also beneficial to rinse the sinuses with a saline solution.

What Conditions Lead to the Surgery of the Sinuses?

The body produces mucus which generally functions as a lube or a cleanser. Millions of minute hair-like cells in the sinus canals transport this mucus through the mucosal surface towards the entrance of each sinus. Inflammation causes this surface to sore and swell, preventing the mucus passage and leading to several infectious diseases. Allergies, irritants, fungus, and virus infections can promote the inflammatory reaction, which can obstruct the nasal passages. As a result, mucus gets accumulated in the sinuses, which become infected with germs and micro-organisms. Infections can persist and reoccur if pharmacological treatments fail to clear these sinuses, and in such a situation, sinus surgery is usually suggested.

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