It starts quietly. Your nose feels stuffed, and you think you’re cold. A day later, heaviness behind eyes, cheeks aching, even teeth sore. Try to breathe. It feels thick, blocked. People shrug it off. Wrong. When it drags on, that’s a sinus infection. At Absolute Urgent Care, we see this all the time: tired faces, pressure building, asking, Why won’t this clear?”
What Is Sinusitis (Sinus Infection)?
In simple words, sinusitis means that the sinuses are swollen. Swelling stops drainage. Mucus sits. Germs grow. Viruses begin most cases. Bacteria follow if it lingers. Allergies can set it off, too. Patients say it feels like a head filled with wet sand. Sometimes it fades. Sometimes it needs ER care. Cleveland Clinic lists it among the most common airway problems.
What Are Sinuses?
They are the hollow spaces in the skull. They are in four pairs: Maxillary, frontal, ethmoid, and sphenoid. Their job is to make mucus, and mucus keeps the airways moist and traps germs. When blocked, mucus thickens, and germs multiply. Breathing shifts, voice turns flat, nasal. Many notice they sound different before they realise they are sick.
Types of Sinusitis
Acute, Subacute, Chronic, and Recurrent Sinusitis
Acute: under 4 weeks. Subacute: 4–12. Chronic: 12 or more. Recurrent: 4+ times a year.
Bacterial and Viral Sinusitis
Most start viral. If mucus turns yellow or green and pain builds, bacteria have stepped in. Viral eases with rest and hydration. Bacteria sometimes need antibiotics.
Fungal Sinusitis
Rare. Serious. Hits people with weak immunity the hardest.
How Do I Know If It’s Sinusitis, COVID, a Cold, or an Allergy?
Cold peas take days to fade. Allergies? You experience sneezing, itchy eyes, but no cheek pain. COVID-19 comes with high fever, fatigue, and breathlessness. Your sinusitis sufferers from congestion, mucus, and pressure. Overlap happens. Testing confirmed your fears, but it is better to know. Guessing simply delays relief.
Symptoms and Causes
Signs and Symptoms of Sinusitis
Postnasal drip, bitter taste at night. Thick yellow/green discharge. Cheek pressure. Toothache. Ear pain. Headaches. Bad breath. Cough that worsens when lying down. Fatigue that drags.
Causes of Sinus Infections
Usually, it is viruses first. Then bacteria like Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Moraxella catarrhalis follow. Allergies inflame. Fungi are rare but possible. Even colds or flu spark it.
Risk Factors
Nasal allergies. Asthma. Polyps. Deviated septum. Weak immunity; HIV, cancer, meds. Smoking irritates tissue.
Is Sinusitis Contagious?
Sinusitis itself isn’t. The germs behind it spread. Coughs, sneezes, hands. Wash often. Cover up.
What Happens If it is Untreated?
Some clear up. Some spread. Rare but dangerous: infection moving into the eyes, bone, and brain.
Diagnosis and Tests
Doctors check with a physical exam. ENTs (ears, nose & throat) handle stubborn cases.
Specific Tests
Nasal scope. Swabs. CT scans. Allergy tests. Biopsy in rare cases.
Management and Treatment
At-Home Treatments
Decongestants. OTC meds. Saline rinses; sting, but they flush passages. Steam, water, rest.
Prescription Treatments
Antibiotics are used for bacterial infections. Steroid sprays. Decongestants, oral or topical.
Chronic Sinusitis Treatments
Steroid sprays. Antihistamines. Leukotriene antagonists. Surgery, if nothing else, helps.
Best Medications for Sinus Infection
Amoxicillin. Augmentin. Doxycycline. Levofloxacin. Cefixime. Cefpodoxime. Clindamycin.
Moving Forward with Relief
Sinus infections steal comfort slowly. First stuffy nose, then nights broken by pressure. At Absolute Urgent Care, we handle both mild and severe cases. Linked to pulmonary complaint cases or referred to ears, nose & throat specialists when needed. What you must do is obvious: empty the passages, relieve pain, and also wait until you are normal in breathing.
FAQs
Can sinus infections resolve without antibiotics?
Yes. Viral ones usually clear in a week.
How can I tell if my sinus infection is bacterial?
If it lasts for more than 10 days, worsens, or you experience sharp pain, it is likely bacterial.
Do sinus infections always cause fever?
No. Some cause only pressure and congestion.
Can children develop sinus infections?
Yes. Kids often show blocked noses, irritability, and cough at night.
When should I see a doctor for sinusitis?
In case of symptoms of more than 10 days, acute worsening, or with swelling, vision changes, or fever, seek assistance.
