Sinus Infection

Sinus infections develop when the lining of your sinuses gets inflamed. Your sinuses are four open spaces in the bones of your face connected by small passages. They produce mucus that removes germs and allergens as it drains from your nose. When you’re healthy, your sinuses are mainly filled with air.

When bacteria, viruses or allergens irritate your sinuses, the sinus tissue swells. As a result, your sinuses get blocked, and fluid builds up inside them. This buildup causes pain, pressure and nasal congestion (stuffy nose). Depending on the reason for your sinus irritation, you can experience different types of sinus infections:

• Acute sinus infection. These infections produce symptoms for less than four weeks. Viruses like the common cold typically cause them.
• Subacute sinus infection. Symptoms for these infections linger for four to 12 weeks.
• Chronic sinus infection. These bacteria-caused infections produce symptoms for at least 12 weeks.

Viruses like the common cold or influenza cause most sinus infections. Typically, these acute sinus infections go away within a week or two.

Bacteria can also trigger a sinus infection. You may have a bacterial infection if you have facial pain and a runny or stuffy nose that lingers for more than 10 days. Most of these cases require medical treatment.

Sinus infections caused by fungus can be the most serious and are potentially life-threatening. A weakened immune system puts you at greater risk for a fungal sinus infection.

Anyone can develop a sinus infection. But some people are at higher risk. You may be more likely to get a sinus infection if you have these risk factors:

• Asthma
• Deviated septum (the tissue that divides your nose isn’t straight; it narrows and blocks one side)
• Nasal allergies
• Nasal polyps
• Smoking
• Weakened immune system

Sinus infection symptoms can sometimes be confused with signs of a common cold or allergies. Consider talking with a provider if you experience any of these symptoms:

• Aching teeth
• Bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth
• Changed sense of smell
• Cough
• Ear pain or pressure
• Facial pain or pressure around your eyes, nose and forehead (this can worsen when you move your head)
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Headache
• Postnasal drip (mucus running down the back of your throat)
• Runny nose with thick green or yellow mucus
• Stuffy nose

If you have sinus infection symptoms, our expert urgent care providers will examine your ears, nose and throat for blockage, draining and swelling. If our providers suspect you have a sinus infection, they may send you to an otolaryngologist (an ear, nose and throat specialist or ENT). These specialists may recommend additional tests, including:

• Allergy testing. Allergies may trigger chronic sinus infections.
• Biopsy. Providers may want to test a tissue sample from a nasal polyp or other part of your nose.
• Imaging. CT scans capture pictures of the inside of your nose to rule out physical conditions that may be causing your sinus problems.
• Nasal endoscopy. This test uses an endoscope (a small tool with a light on the end) to examine the inside of your nose.
• Nasal swabs. Our providers test a sample of mucus from inside your nose to identify any viruses or bacteria.

You can treat sinus infections in many ways. Your treatment will depend on the cause of your infection and the severity of your symptoms.

Because viruses cause most sinus infections, our providers may prescribe antibiotics. But antibiotics will only help if you have a bacterial infection. Using antibiotics when you don’t need them can build up your resistance to medication you may need in the future. Our providers may recommend over-the-counter treatments as a first step to avoid prescribing unnecessary antibiotics. These therapies include:

• Cold and allergy medication
• Decongestants
• Drinking lots of fluids (water is best to thin out thick mucus)
• Nasal saline rinse like a Neti Pot
• Nasal saline spray
• Pain relievers
• Warm compress on your nose and forehead to relieve pressure

If your symptoms linger for more than 10 days, our providers may prescribe:

• Antibiotics
• Intranasal steroid spray
• Oral or topical decongestants that constrict your blood vessels to reduce swelling

Our providers will focus on any underlying conditions if you have chronic sinus infections. They may recommend:

• Antihistamines (oral pills or topical sprays)
• Asthma medication
• Intranasal steroid spray
• Surgery (used to treat fungal infections, polyps and structural problems)

It’s not always possible to prevent a sinus infection. But you can take some steps to reduce your risk. These steps include:

• Avoiding allergy triggers
• Avoiding second-hand smoke or quitting smoking
• Taking allergy medication
• Using nasal saline rinses frequently and as directed
• Using nasal steroid sprays if prescribed
• Washing your hands frequently to reduce your chances of getting sick

Most sinus infections will clear up with time or medication. However, some may become severe. Go to the emergency department if you experience these additional symptoms:

• Confusion or other mental changes
• High fever (over 103°F)
• Seizures
• Stiff neck
• Vision changes