![The signs and symptoms of acute sinusitis usually last around 7-10 days](https://images.medicinenet.com/images/article/main_image/is-a-sinus-infection-contagious.jpg?output-quality=75)
The signs and symptoms of acute sinusitis usually last around 7-10 days unless there are complications. With appropriate treatment, the symptoms may become more bearable, the recovery may be faster, and chronic sinusitis can be prevented. The signs and symptoms of a chronic sinusitis last at least three months and longer. Patients may experience multiple flare-ups of acute sinusitis.
What is sinusitis?
Sinuses are air-filled cavities in the skull that surround the nose. They are present in the forehead, cheeks, and near the eyes. These are closed spaces in the skull with a small opening. Sinus infection (sinusitis) occurs when the opening gets blocked and mucus gets trapped in the sinuses and starts accumulating. This causes viruses, bacteria, or fungi to grow easily because of the moist and stagnant environment. This is also called acute sinusitis.
Chronic sinusitis occurs when the tissue lining and spaces get inflamed for three months or longer. Chronic sinusitis usually involves nasal airway inflammation (rhinitis) as well. Hence, it is also called chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). Chronic sinusitis usually occurs as a result of recurrent episodes of acute sinusitis that haven’t been managed appropriately. CRS is typically noninfective and occurs mainly due to allergy or medical conditions such as cystic fibrosis, where mucus clearance is impaired. In CRS, normal mucus drainage is impaired, and there is inflammation and swelling of the tissues in the nose and sinuses causing nasal discharge and obstruction.
What are the signs and symptoms of acute sinusitis?
Symptoms of a sinus infection include:
- Nasal obstruction
- Postnasal drip (dripping of the mucus from the nose to throat) when the person is lying down
- Headache
- Facial pain
- Cough
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Halitosis (bad breath)
- Pain over the upper teeth
What are the signs and symptoms of chronic sinusitis?
Common signs and symptoms of chronic sinusitis include:
- Itching of the nose
- Thick white or yellowish-white (yellowish discharge indicates superimposed bacterial infection) discharge from the nose
- Postnasal drip (constant drainage of the mucus through the back of the nose and down the throat) causing discomfort and throat irritation
- Nasal obstruction (nose block) or congestion
- Pain, tenderness, and swelling around your eyes, cheeks, nose, or forehead
- Reduced sense of smell and taste
- Change in voice
- Pain in the upper jaw and teeth, especially around the canines
- Cough
- Recurrent clearing of the throat
- Recurrent episodes of a sore throat because of mouth breathing as a result of nose block and postnasal drip
- Halitosis (Bad breath)
- Disturbed sleep
- Inability to concentrate
- Fatigue
![](https://images.medicinenet.com//images/slideshow/12_causes_od_fatigue_s1_man_checking_cellphone_in_bed.jpg)
SLIDESHOW
The 14 Most Common Causes of Fatigue See SlideshowHow is acute sinusitis treated?
Treatment options include:
Medical treatment:
- Over-the-counter medication such as paracetamol or ibuprofen can help relieve symptoms such as pain and fever.
- Nasal decongestant sprays such as oxymetazoline can reduce swelling and congestion, relieving the nasal obstruction.
- Antibiotics may be prescribed to get rid of the infection faster.
Supportive treatment:
- Humidifiers to add moisture to the air that reduces dryness, softening the dried mucus
- Nasal irrigation
- Nasal irrigation with saline using products such as a neti pot that can flush out excess mucus, bacteria, and crusts, reducing nasal congestion
- Steam inhalation that can moisten the dried mucus and crusts, reducing nasal congestion
- Adequate rest and hydration
- Applying a warm compress over the face that can help reduce the pain and nasal congestion
How is chronic sinusitis treated?
Treatment options for chronic sinusitis include:
- Corticosteroids: Corticosteroids may be prescribed in the form of local nasal sprays or oral medications or as injections. Steroids help to suppress allergy, reduce inflammation, and shrink tissue growth. Examples include fluticasone, mometasone, and beclomethasone.
- Saline nasal irrigation: The nose may be irrigated with nasal sprays or solutions. This helps to clear the airway by flushing out mucus, crusts, and pollutants.
- Aspirin desensitization treatment: Those who have allergic reactions to aspirin causing sinusitis can be treated by administering increasing doses of aspirin under a doctor’s supervision until aspirin tolerance increases.
- Antibiotics: Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is typically not infective. However, antibiotics may be used to treat secondary bacterial infections. The role of antibiotics is to get rid of a biofilm (a thin layer of fluid containing germs) that lines the sinus lining.
- Immunotherapy: CRS be treated with immunotherapy. Dupilumab is one such drug that can help suppress the body's immune cells to reduce reaction to specific allergens.
- Polyps: Polyps around the sinus openings may cause obstruction of the sinuses. These need to be managed by medicines or surgery.
- Surgery: An endoscopic sinus surgery may be done in patients resistant to medical treatment or medication. An endoscope (a thin, tube with an attached light and camera) and surgical instruments and inserted into the nose to perform surgery under anesthesia.
https://www.webmd.com/allergies/sinusitis-and-sinus-infection
https://www.webmd.com/allergies/qa/what-causes-sinusitis
https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/232670-overview
Top How Long Does Sinusitis Last? Related Articles
Augmentin (amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, Augmentin XR, Augmentin ES-600, Amoclan)
Amoxicillin and clavulanic acid (Augmentin Amoclan, Augmentin XR, Augmentin ES-600) is an antibiotic used to treat middle ear infections, sore throat, sinus infection, bronchitis, pneumonia, and urinary tract infections. Side effects include abdominal discomfort, bloating, diarrhea, gas, headache, heartburn, nausea, and vomiting.brompheniramine/dextromethorphan/phenylephrine
Brompheniramine/dextromethorphan/phenylephrine is an over-the-counter (OTC) cold medication used to relieve symptoms of the common cold, flu, hay fever, allergies, and respiratory conditions such as sinusitis and bronchitis. The combo medication temporarily relieves symptoms such as cough, runny nose, nasal congestion, sneezing, itchy nose or throat, and itchy/watery eyes due to minor throat and bronchial irritation, and makes breathing easier. Do not use concurrently with other sedative drugs or alcohol. Common side effects of brompheniramine/dextromethorphan/phenylephrine include dry mouth, nose, and throat; thickening of mucus in nose and throat, drowsiness, dizziness, headache, excitability, restlessness, high blood pressure (hypertension), reflex increase in heart rate (tachycardia), and constriction of peripheral and abdominal (visceral) blood vessels.Can Hot Weather Cause Sinus Problems?
Sinusitis is a condition where you experience irritation and swelling of your sinuses. Allergies and sinus problems are common during the warmer seasons.What Causes Chronic Sinusitis?
Chronic sinusitis occurs when the tissue lining the facial sinuses becomes inflamed for at least three months. Chronic sinusitis usually involves nasal airway swelling (rhinitis). The causes of chronic sinusitis include nasal polyps, deviated nasal septum, medical conditions, respiratory tract infections, and allergies.Common Medical Abbreviations & Terms
Doctors, pharmacists, and other health-care professionals use abbreviations, acronyms, and other terminology for instructions and information in regard to a patient's health condition, prescription drugs they are to take, or medical procedures that have been ordered. There is no approved this list of common medical abbreviations, acronyms, and terminology used by doctors and other health- care professionals. You can use this list of medical abbreviations and acronyms written by our doctors the next time you can't understand what is on your prescription package, blood test results, or medical procedure orders. Examples include:
- ANED: Alive no evidence of disease. The patient arrived in the ER alive with no evidence of disease.
- ARF: Acute renal (kidney) failure
- cap: Capsule.
- CPAP: Continuous positive airway pressure. A treatment for sleep apnea.
- DJD: Degenerative joint disease. Another term for osteoarthritis.
- DM: Diabetes mellitus. Type 1 and type 2 diabetes
- HA: Headache
- IBD: Inflammatory bowel disease. A name for two disorders of the gastrointestinal (BI) tract, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis
- JT: Joint
- N/V: Nausea or vomiting.
- p.o.: By mouth. From the Latin terminology per os.
- q.i.d.: Four times daily. As in taking a medicine four times daily.
- RA: Rheumatoid arthritis
- SOB: Shortness of breath.
- T: Temperature. Temperature is recorded as part of the physical examination. It is one of the "vital signs."
horseradish
Horseradish root has been traditionally used to treat respiratory and urinary tract infections, muscle aches, joint inflammation and pain, and many other conditions. Horseradish for medicinal use is available over the counter (OTC) as dried roots, capsules, or as topical applications. Common side effects of horseradish include gastrointestinal discomfort, diarrhea, vomiting, bloody vomiting, irritation of the lining of the nose/mouth/throat/gastrointestinal tract, irritation of the urinary tract, skin irritation and burning from topical use, heavy sweating, and allergic reactions.How Can You Tell if You Have a Sinus Infection?
Sinus infection is a common issue that affects many people. Learn the signs of sinus infection, what causes sinus infection, how doctors diagnose sinus infection, and what you can do to treat sinus infection.How Do You Know if You Have a Sinus Infection (Sinusitis) or COVID-19 Coronavirus?
Learn how the signs and symptoms of a sinus infection are different from those caused by COVID-19.ipratropium
Ipratropium is a medication used to relieve runny nose and nasal inflammation (rhinitis) caused by colds and allergies, and as a bronchodilator to relieve bronchospasm and ease breathing in chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD), including chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Common side effects of intranasal ipratropium include headache, upper respiratory tract infection (URI), nasal bleeding (epistaxis), throat inflammation (pharyngitis), and others. Common side effects of intranasal ipratropium include bronchial inflammation (bronchitis), exacerbation of COPD, sinus inflammation (sinusitis), shortness of breath (dyspnea), cough, flulike symptoms, back pain, and others.Sinus Infection Dos and Don'ts
Is it OK to fly when you've got sinusitis? How about going to work? WebMD helps you decide what's right and wrong when you're all stuffed up.Sinus Infection (Sinusitis)
Sinus infection (sinusitis) is caused by allergies, infection, and chemicals or other irritants of sinuses. Signs and symptoms include headache, fever, and facial tenderness, pressure, or pain. Treatments of sinus infections are generally with antibiotics and at times, home remedies.Sinusitis Slideshow
Sinus infection (sinusitis) symptoms can include headaches, a sore throat, and toothaches. Antibiotics and home remedies can relieve sinus infection symptoms.What Is the Fastest Way to Get Rid of a Sinus Infection?
Learn what medical treatments can help ease your sinus infection symptoms and speed up your recovery.