Signs of a Sinus Infection: Don’t Ignore These 15 Symptoms

Introduction

Have you ever had a stuffy nose, facial pressure, and a headache that just wouldn’t go away? You might have thought that it was simply a cold or one of the symptoms of a sinus infection. Since many of the symptoms are similar, it can be difficult to tell the difference. But knowing the signs of a sinus infection early can help you receive the proper treatment and become better sooner.

An infection of the sinuses is known as sinusitis and occurs when the tissues that line your sinuses become swollen and inflamed. This inflammation hinders the drainage of normal mucous and leads to mucous accumulation inside the sinus cavity. This can result in having a blocked nose, pain in the face, sinus pressure, postnasal drip, thick yellow or green mucus, headaches and even a loss of smell or taste. Sinus infections can occur following a viral upper respiratory infection like a cold, or from allergies, bacteria, nasal polyps or other disorders that obstruct the passages(4).

Signs of a sinus infection are mild or severe. For some, this may mean just a blocked nose and discomfort, while others might experience a recurring headache, fever, extreme tiredness, cough, foul breath or tooth pain. If the symptoms persist for longer than usual or worsen, they might be a sign of a bacterial sinus infection that needs treatment(3).

Fortunately, most sinus infections will go away with the proper rest, fluid intake, and home treatments, and some might need to be treated with a medication, like nasal sprays, decongestants or antibiotics (when prescribed by a healthcare provider). Having an understanding of signs of a sinus infection can help determine when to treat at home and when to call the physician.

In this article, you will learn about the most common signs of a sinus infection, what to do for it and when to seek medical care for your sinus infection. Recognizing these symptoms early can help you take appropriate steps to preserve your sinus health, boost your immune system, and recover from sinusitis sooner.

What Is a Sinus Infection?

Sinus infection or sinusitis is a very common condition, which occurs when the lining of the sinus cavities becomes swollen and inflamed. Your sinuses are empty chambers that contain air in the back of your forehead, cheeks, nose and eyes. These cavities are usually lined with a thin lining of mucus that catches dust, bacteria, viruses and allergens before they enter your lungs.

When the cilia are healthy, the mucus can flow out of the nose without any difficulties, and it keeps the nose clean and moist. But if the tissues become inflamed, the drainage channels obstruct the process. As the mucus accumulates in the sinuses, it puts pressure on them and lets germs grow and produces many of the usual signs of a sinus infection including nasal congestion, facial pain, sinus pressure, postnasal drip, thick yellow or green mucus and headaches(4).

Healthy Sinuses Working

Your sinuses are important for helping to protect your respiratory system. They always keep producing mucus which catches dust, pollen, bacteria and other harmful particles. The cilia, microscopic hair-like projections, beat and transport this mucus down the nasal passages, where it flows into the throat by itself and is swallowed unconsciously.

This natural drainage of the sinuses helps to clear them, maintain moisture and protect from infection. The proper flow of mucus allows for comfort in breathing and healthy sinus function.

What Happens During a Sinus Infection?

A sinus infection starts when inflammation prevents the drainage of mucus through the small openings in the sinuses. It can result from a viral infection, a bacterial sinus infection, allergies or structural issues like deviated septum or nasal polyps(4).

The mucous secretions get trapped within the sinuses and cause increased pressure resulting in the discomfort many people experience. Stuffy nose, thick nasal discharge, pain on the face, sinus headache, pain around eyes and cheeks, postnasal drip, coughing, bad breath and even a loss of sense of smell and taste are possible signs of a sinus infection. Mucous buildup increases the risk of bacteria proliferating and adding to the infection if left there for too long.

Different Types of Sinus Infections

Sinusitis is classified depending on the duration of the symptoms.

• The most common is acute sinusitis, which typically lasts less than four weeks. It usually follows a cold or other upper respiratory infection and usually gets better with home treatment and care.
• Subacute sinusitis is present for 4-12 weeks. It usually occurs when the inflammation has not completely resolved after an acute infection.
• Chronic sinusitis persists for over 12 weeks and can result from persistence of inflammation, recurrent infections, allergic rhinitis, nasal polyps, or deviated septum. The person with chronic sinusitis may have frequent attacks of nasal blockage, facial pressure and nasal breathing problems(1).
• Several people also suffer from recurring sinus infections, which are multiple infections that happen all year long.

In these situations, it is critical to determine the signs of a sinus infection, cause of the incident, and take steps to prevent others from encountering the same problem.

What Causes a Sinus Infection?

Most sinus infections originate from a viral infection (like a cold). Viruses lead to the inside of the nose becoming swollen and preventing it from draining properly. When the mucus is stuck for several days, bacteria can start to grow, which can cause a bacterial sinus infection. After that there will be different signs of a sinus infection.

Another common cause is seasonal allergies, which cause inflammation which leads to an increase in mucus production. Abnormalities of the structures may also cause nasal blockage, such as deviated septum or nasal polyps and obstruct normal drainage. Also, cigarette smoking, air pollution, and chemical irritants can cause damage to the lining of the nose, making sinusitis more likely. In addition, those with compromised immune systems might have a higher risk of having a sinus infection that is frequent or severe.

Common Signs of a Sinus Infection

Depending on the cause of the infection and its severity, the signs of a sinus infection can differ from person to person. For some, symptoms may be limited to nasal congestion, or they may suffer from intense facial pain, headache and fatigue that disrupt their daily life.

A sinus infection is often confused with a common cold and seasonal allergies because the initial symptoms are quite alike. signs of a sinus infection, however, typically persist longer, increase gradually and may be accompanied by thick mucus, tenderness of the face and pressure around the eyes and cheeks. If you know what to look for, you’ll be able to identify the infection early on and get appropriate treatment if necessary.

1) Persistent Nasal Congestion and Blocked Nose

Nasal congestion is one of the initial and most apparent signs of a sinus infection. Nasal passages are lined by tissue which, when inflamed, swells and narrows the air passages. This makes it hard to breathe through your nose and can cause you to have a chronic stuffy nose. Some may have one nostril blocked more than the other, or may have a difficult time breathing through both nostrils(3).

Sinusitis can result in congestion that lasts longer than a common cold, unlike when you get a cold, which typically gets better after a few days. Mouth breathing due to nasal obstruction can also cause dry mouth, sore throat, snoring and sleep disturbances. A lot of individuals get tired upon waking because they can not breathe easily while sleeping.

2) Thick Yellow or Green Nasal Mucus

Changes in mucus is one of the other common signs of a sinus infection. Dust, bacteria and allergens are normally stopped by healthy mucus that is clear and thin. In sinusitis, the mucous layer gets thicker with the immune system reacting to the infection, which causes the colour of the mucous layer to become yellow or green.

This mucous build-up can dribble from the nose all the time or get stuck in the sinus cavity leading to further congestion and pressure. Many think that green mucus is always an infection with bacteria, but it is not always this way. Thick-coloured mucus may also be a sign of a viral infection. Treatment is generally based on the duration and severity of symptoms and not the colour of the sputum.

3) Facial Pain, Pressure, and Tenderness

One of the most obvious signs of a sinus infection is facial pain or pressure. The sinuses are found in the forehead, cheeks, around the eyes and behind the bridge of the nose. If these areas get inflamed and filled with fluid, pressure is created inside the sinus cavity, resulting in discomfort.

Many refer to it as a dull ache or heaviness as opposed to pain. This pain is frequently more severe while bending to the front, lying down, coughing or making rapid head movements, when the pressure within the sinuses is greater. Some people also experience tenderness when they touch their forehead or cheek.

4) Sinus Headache

A sinus headache is frequently caused by pressure which builds up due to blocked sinuses. Typically, the pain is in the forehead or around the eyes or across the cheeks and can extend to the top of the head. In contrast to tension headaches, sinus headaches are typically accompanied by congestion, pressure in the face and nasal discharge. This is one of the common signs of a sinus infection.

The headache is often worse in the morning when the mucous secretions have built up in the sinuses during the night. The pain may get a little better when the mucus starts to drain throughout the day(3).

5) Postnasal Drip and Constant Throat Clearing

When too much mucus drips down the throat rather than through the nose, it is known as postnasal drip. It is one of the most uncomfortable signs of a sinus infection which can be irritating to the throat all day long.

Postnasal drip sufferers tend to cough frequently. They might also have a sore throat, a hoarse voice, a lot of coughing or a sensation of a blockage in the throat. Lying on your back at night enables the mucus to build up in the throat, making coughing worse and sleep more difficult(3).

6) Reduced Sense of Smell and Taste

When inflammation occurs within the nose, odor molecules can’t reach the smell receptors in the high areas of the nose. So, during a sinus infection, many end up temporarily losing some or all of their sense of smell.

Smell and taste go together and food can taste bland or tasteless. These kind of signs of a sinus infection may lead to a decrease in appetite and a diminished enjoyment of eating. Luckily, the sense of smell and taste is typically restored after the inflammation clears and the sinuses start the process of drainage properly.

7) Fever and Feeling Sick

Some people will have a slight or moderate rise in body temperature during a sinus infection, but not everyone. Fever is more likely if it’s caused by bacteria, but it can also occur with viral infections. It is a natural mechanism of the body which protects itself against infection.

In addition to a fever, many people also have body aches, chills and a general “miserable mood. Fever is accompanied by many other symptoms, such as “miserable mood,” body aches, and chills. As the immune system starts to eliminate the infection, these symptoms tend to get better. Also there are some different ways to improve mood and feel better.

8) Fatigue and Low Energy

One of the other signs of a sinus infection is feeling unusually tired. Your immune system is working harder than normal when fighting an infection, so it takes energy to fight an infection. Meanwhile, the nasal congestion, coughing and breathing difficulties can interfere with sleep, leaving you feeling tired all day long.

Most people consider that the inability to focus at work or school is caused by mental fogginess and fatigued body. This fatigue tends to get better when the infection starts to improve.

9) Ear Pressure and Fullness

There are small passages that connect the ears, nose and throat. Inflamed sinuses can also lead to ear blockage, ear fullness, ear pressure, ear popping, and ear discomfort. Others may experience reversible hearing alterations until the congestion clears.

Ear pressure is typically not a cause for concern, but if ear pain is severe or if there is a loss of hearing, contact a healthcare professional.

10) Tooth Pain and Jaw Discomfort

Many people find it hard to believe that a toothache could even be one of the signs of a sinus infection. The roots of upper teeth are very close to maxillary sinuses. If they become inflamed, then the pressure may lead to a sensation of dental pain.

Tooth pain from sinus issues can actually impact multiple upper teeth simultaneously, and may worsen when leaning forward. Tooth pain related to sinus problems can actually impact a number of numerous teeth at the same time and may get worse when bending forward. After the sinus infection clears up, the tooth pain typically goes away(2).

11) Bad Breath

One of the other signs of a sinus infection, that can occur during sinusitis is the bad breath that is present. Bacteria multiply creating smelly odors because the thick mucus is trapped in the sinuses and the postnasal drip is constant. Nasal congestion can also mean a dry mouth which can lead to worse bad breath.

Good oral care, hydration and treatment of the underlying sinus infection can help alleviate this symptom(2).

12) Persistent Cough

The cough may persist as the mucus continually drains down the back of the throat. This irritation can activate the cough reflex, particularly at night or in the early morning, when the time is when mucus builds up while lying down.

Whereas a cough from lung disease will not have post-nasal drip, nasal congestion or any other symptoms of a sinus infection. The cough usually resolves as the mucous production declines(3).

Signs of a Sinus Infection Require Medical Attention

With an acute sinus infection, most get better in 1-2 weeks at home. If signs of a sinus infection persist for more than 10 days, suddenly get worse following periods of improvement, or if there is the addition of a high fever, marked facial swelling, vision changes, severe headache, confusion or problems with breathing, however, you should seek medical attention. These symptoms could mean a bacterial sinus infection or some other medical condition that needs attention(2).

Conclusion

It is important to be able to identify a sinusitis through signs of a sinus infection early in order to speed up recovery and avoid complications. A stuffy nose, nasal congestion, facial pain, sinus pressure, thick yellow or green mucous, postnasal drip, headaches, decreased sense of smell, fatigue and coughing are all symptoms that your sinus cavity may be swollen. Sinus infections (sinusitis) can occur following a cold or a virus infection of the upper respiratory tract but can also be caused by allergies, bacterial infection, nasal polyps and deviated septum.

The importance of prevention of future sinus infections is as significant as its treatment. To minimize the risk of sinusitis, wash your hands often, manage your seasonal allergies, steer clear of air pollution and smoking, drink plenty of water and maintain a healthy lifestyle to strengthen your immune system. Good overall health also helps to maintain healthy nasal passages and breathing.

Finally, knowing the signs of a sinus infection means that you will know what to look for and how to get the right treatment when you have an infection, and also when to seek medical treatment. Taking a proactive approach to your sinus health, good sinus care, and treating underlying risk factors can help you avoid having to deal with problems and recurrent infections and keep you breathing comfortably all year long.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

References

1. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S009545430700084X
2. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1314327/
3. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0002962915403672
4. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1042369920305033